A copy of Vampires are Forever and The Last Vampire Standing (total value: $12.00)
to one winner. (Anyone can win the item by going to the rafflecopter on the right hand
side of the pg.)
First why don't you tell us a little about yourself?
How about I give you the “official bio”? It sounds much more exciting than the real
thing. Here it is…ahem…:
A writer of French Huguenot extraction, Tony-Paul de Vissage's first movie memories is of being six
years old, viewing the old Universal horror flick, Dracula's Daughter on television, and being scared
sleepless--and that may explain a lifelong interest in vampires.
This was further inspired when the author was kidnapped by a band of transplanted Romanian
vampires sightseeing in the South. Having never seen a human who wasn’t frightened of them, they
offered to pay the youngster’s way through college if he would become an author and write about
vampires in a positive manner. He agreed, was returned to his parents (who were also grateful
for the tuition offer since it let them off the) and continued to keep in touch with his supernatural
mentors.
Though the author didn't begin writing horror--or any other genre--until after graduating with a
Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from a well-known Southern University (and a second in Graphic
Art), that one particular interest--and the promise made to his mentors--survived a liberal arts'
education and the scorn of friends and family. Marriage, parenthood, divorce, and a variety of
occupations ranging from stage work to doctor's assistant took precedent over writing for several
years, as did moving from one United States coast to another.
Eventually that first story--a short story about the hapless vampire Clan Andriescu--was published.
A voracious reader whose personal library has been shipped more than 3,000 miles, Tony-Paul has
read hundreds of vampire tales and viewed more than as many movies.
Newest release?
My latest novel is Shadow Lord, Book 1 of the Second Species series, which is being
released by Double Dragon Publishing. This is a vampire series, involving a group
of beings about whom the vampire legend sprang up. The aventurieri aren’t really
vampires. They’re merely a second species of human, but their differences have
made them into the myth the First Species—true humans—call “vampire.”
Shadow Lord was released in November, 2013.
I’d also like to add I have a novel coming out this month which is a vast departure
for me for several reasons. It’s a historical novel (the first I’ve ever written), as well
as GBLT (also a first), and also a horror story. Absinthe, a Tale of Magic, Love, and
Revenge is being released by Class Act Books on February 15, 2014.
What can we expect from your stories, action, drama, romance, sex, blood and guts?
All of the above. What else could it be since it’s the story of 4 male vampires?
Action: fights in the air with fangs and talons; battles on the ground with swords and
pistols
Drama: a hunt through the centuries for a killer; an ancient prophecy
Romance: a French marquise, a Transylvanian peasant girl, the occupant of an
Austrian bordello
Sex: vampires+sex=synomymous
Blood and guts: in extravagant amounts
Do you have a favorite character in your stories? Who? and Why?
Marek in Shadow Lord is a favorite character, of course, since he’s the hero of this
projected eight-novel series but one other whom I truly enjoyed writing about was
Vlad Chemare, the title character in The Last Vampire Standing.
Vlad is an upstart, as conceited as they come. He thought the ruler of the vampires
needed to be ousted and he was just the fledgling to do it, and ended up getting
buried alive for his troubles. Six hundred years later, he’s up and at ’em and again
ready to fight and this time he isn’t going to lose. Between love affairs and recruiting
the local werewolf populace to be his K-9 corps, he takes down the tyrant king.
I had great fun writing about Vlad because he was such a smart-ass, besides being
a lover and a fighter. He got in quite a few good fang-in-cheek comments about the
current vampire craze, vampire movies, re-enactments, as well as a number of other
contemporary and historical events.
How about your least favorite character? What makes them less appealing to you?
You know, right off hand, I can’t think of a character I didn’t like…even a little. I
enjoy writing villains. Actor Lee van Cleef once said the best way to portray a villain
is to act as if you’re enjoying every minute of it. It’s so much fun creating the men
you love to hate.
Give us an interesting fun fact or a few about your book or series:
With the exception of a couple of words which I made up, most of the foreign
language the vampire’s speak in the Second Species is actual Transylvanian.
Because of that, I include a short glossary for the curios who want to know the exact
meanings.
In the novel, in the year 1806, my vampires smoke cigarettes and use strike matches.
My research showed paper-wrapped cigarettes and matches which were lit by being
dragged against a surface were available a couple of years earlier.
Have there been any other authors who have inspired your work or helped you out with
your stories?
My friend Linda Nightingale and I often get together for brainstorming, sometimes
by phone, since she lives in Houston, TX and I’m 1500 miles away. Linda writes
about vampires, too, and hers are just as unique as mine so we often swap ideas and
suggestions and help each other out when we paint outselves into a corner.
As for other authors…I’d say any author I’ve ever read who writes horror or
paranormal has aided me in creating my own stories. They’ve shown me what to
write and what not to write as well as given me hours of reading pleasure.
What can readers who enjoy your book do to help make it successful?
Do I dare say the obvious? BUY MY BOOKS!!!
Seriously, I guess the best way would be to recommend the books to others who like
the same genre (but suggest they buy their own, don’t lend them, please.)
Do you have any tips for readers or advice for other writers trying to get published?
The same advice I was given, I guess…be persistent and develop a thick skin. Don’t
sit around and wait for the publishers to come beating on your door. It ain’t gonna
happen.
Do you have a favorite author? If yes, what draws you to that person’s work?
It’s really difficult sometimes to say exactly what one likes about someone’s writing.
The writing style, turns of phrase, unique plots, the characters. I like Jim Butcher,
JD Robb, and JR Ward, and they each offer something from each of these areas
that makes me coming back for more.
Can you remember one of the first things you wrote? What makes it memorable?
Indeed I do. The words “cat” and “rat” on a sheet of notebook paper. I didn’t
know how to spell dog at that time and was proud I could write two words which
were similar. The first “novel” I attempted was a graphic novel when I was 8.
My parents had a friend who was an x-ray tech and she’d give me the long yellow
sheets placed between x-ray films. I’d draw on those and then write captions for
the pictures. One of the first ones I did was an African adventure a la Tarzan. The
first actual short story was when I was in the 7th
vampire named—get this!—“Batavia. ” Really bad…
Where do you gather most of the inspiration for your works?
Just about anywhere. Something someone says, a photograph, the thought “What
would’ve happened if…?” A bad dream. (Yes, I’ve written an entire novel based
grade. I wrote a horror tale about a
on a dream I had once.) The Second Species came about when I read an article
which brought up the fact that of all the myriad species of flora and fauna on Earth,
there’s only one species of human, so I invented a second one.
Do you have any other interesting hobbies, pets or stories you would like to share?
I used to have lots of hobbies—raising tropical fish, horseback riding, painting—but
once I started writing seriously, they all kind of fell by the wayside. Occasionally, I
push myself away from the keyboard to take up pencil and brush and do a sketch or
two, but other than that, it’s type, type, type. Oh…I do cook—surprise, surprise! I
make a mean Transylvanian gulas…and my roasted red pepper soup ain’t too bad
either. I figure everyone’s got to eat, so why not learn to cook something good while
I’m at it?
Favorite places to travel or visit?
Nowadays I’m lucky if I set foot outside my door, but I’d love to travel to Romania
and see Casa Drakul which is the nightclub housed in the home in which Dracula
was born, and also Ireland. All that greenery fascinates me…and there aren’t any
snakes in Ireland. I’m not wild about the slithery ones.
And now, before you go, how about a snippet from your book that is meant to intrigue
and tantalize us:( Include links to were we can find your work)
“Shadow Lord begins with a wonderful intense scene full of action... and will hook
any reader who love vampires and likes something fresh and new. There is romance
and some hot scenes in this one but the paranormal and historical aspect of this
novel stands out. The author has obviously done a lot of research and I applaud
that depth and eye for detail and this unique new vampire world. The characters
are interesting and the writing style dramatic. All in all a very good read that I
would highly recommend...”
--AmberKatzke's Book Blog (Vienna, Austria)
“Shadow Lord will draw you into a world where love, vengeance and honor
intermingle. It will change the way you think about vampires.”--Tony Eldridge, author
of The Samson Effect
“…a thrilling read, beautifully executed… a sensual novel; the rhythm of it, the feel
of language, the surroundings created, the utterly believable, yet fantastic world
these characters inhabit.”—Linda Leigh, amazon review
“…Tony-Paul de Vissage once again delivers the type of work I have come to expect
from him. There is a certain classic charm to his writing. He brings to the reader a
unique twist to the vampire that is far from the usual fare… a fascinating and epic
story…” --Teresa D, Vampire Romance Books.
AWARDS:
Winner, Horror Category, 2009 Maryland Writers Reveal Your Inner Vixen award.
Placed in Top Ten in Horror, 2014 Preditors and Editors Readers poll
BLURB:
Men call them vampires. They call themselves aventurieri. They existed with our
own ancestors before becoming other than human. Now they hide in the mists of the
Carpathians away from their human foes, becoming the stuff of legend.
In 1793, everything changes… Their Prince’s assassin is murdered. His son
demands revenge.
Chosen by the gods for an unknown destiny, a young scholar abandons his studies to
pursue his father’s killer, but at a deadly cost. Marek Strigoi’s thirst for retribution
will lose him the woman he loves when he is banned from his Transylvanian
homeland. Thrust into the outside world of 19th
the violence of the Hellfire clubs of Vienna and desire in a Parisian Marquise’s bed,
but not even love will quench his thirst for vengeance.
When both the hunter and the hunted are vampires, not even Hell will stand in the
way!
EXCERPT:
Pulling the dress from her shoulders, he let it drop to the floor. His robe
followed. Naked, he swept her into his arms. Holding her body against his chest,
he ran to the window, climbing upon the window seat.
“What are you doing?” she whispered.
He pushed the shutters open with one hand and stepped onto the sill.
There was a soft rustle as his wings unfurled. Marek flung himself from the
window, Lily clutched in his arms. Her squeal was bitten off as she realized they
weren’t falling to their deaths, but instead were rising above the trees. Marek
circled the courtyard, then climbed higher, the sweep of his wings pushing the air
past them in loud gusts.
“Look, Lily.” One hand gestured, and she glanced at the scene far below
them…the castel and the forest around it, and further on, the rough slopes of the
mountains and the far-off peaks. On the parapet of the castel they could see
soldati walking the walls. One looked up, pointing, calling to another, and they
raised their hands saluting their ghidaj. Marek swooped lower, spinning in the air,
acknowledging their homage as Lily laughed with delight.
“Oh, Master, it’s so beautiful!”
“This is all Strigoi land, Lily. It’s mine, and it’ll be yours, too, if you’ll stay
with me.”
Circling above the tallest pine he rose higher until they touched the first
wisp of cloud hovering above the mountain peak, the shadows of the cliffs
covering and hiding them. How I’ve missed this. For over a dozen years he’d kept
century Europe, he’ll find refuge in
himself earthbound. Now, with this wonderful female in his arms, he was liberated
by the vast and concealing dark.
“It’ll be summer soon,” he said. “When the nights are warmer, we’ll fly over
the river and see our reflections in the water. It’s so clear you can see to the
bottom when the moon’s full. The travertine in the currents reflects it like a mirror.
Would you like that? Will you stay?”
“Oh, yes!” Her arms tightened around his neck.
Before them loomed the highest tower of the castle, its stones silvered in
the moonlight. His wings bore them to the tower’s spire where the Strigoi banner,
a sword cleaving the sun, waved in the night air. Around the emblem in blood-red
script was embroidered the clan motto, in fidelitas, est potentia…in loyalty, there
is power.
As he circled the tower, he kissed her with a quickening hunger, eagerly,
desperately, even as he tried to be restrained, trailing small bites across her
throat. His wings caused the banner to flap wildly as if in a sudden storm, the
words seeming to blink at them… fidelitas… potentia. Turning her head, Lily
brushed her lips across his mouth. Body against hers, he hesitated. He kissed her
one last time, trailing fingers down her back, breathing softly against pale flesh.
“Time to go back.”
As he aimed himself for the window, Lily pressed her face against his
chest. He landed on the sill and stepped into the room, setting her down as he
collapsed his wings. For a moment longer she clung to him, then took her arms
from around his neck and exhaled a long, trembling sigh.
Links: http://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Lord-Tony-Paul-Vissage-ebook/
dp/B00GH0YJP4/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1390590796&sr=1-
1&keywords=shadow+lord+by+tony-paul+de+vissage
http://www.double-dragon-ebooks.com/single.php?ISBN=1-77115-135-8
Thanks for visiting us here on JBR! We wish you great success! Julie Ramsey ADM JBR
Merci for the opportunity, Julie!
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