Guest Author: Beth Kery & Giveaway! Back to Blog
Update: The winner is…Alexandrea Ward! Congrats!
Hi, everyone! I am so excited to have my friend (and super talented author) Beth Kery guest posting today. Beth can write some amazingly sensual stories that pack an incredible emotional punch. Welcome, Beth!
Of Werewolves And Vampires
When it came time to do the research on my first vampire-themed novel, I went back to one of the original sources, Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Velvet Cataclysm isn’t a classic vampire story, by any means, but it does hold seeds of that fantastic novel. One of the first things that struck me about the novel, which was written in 1897, was just how downright lascivious it was. Apparently, vampirism possessed the thread of forbidden sexuality from day one.
The fair girl shook her head coquettishly, and the other two urged her on.
“Go on. You are first, and we shall follow; yours is the right to begin.”
“He is young and strong; there are kisses for us all.” I lay quiet, looking out under my eyelashes in an agony of delightful anticipation. The fair girl…went on her knees, simply gloating. There was a deliberate voluptuousness which was both thrilling and repulsive, and as she arched her heck, she actually liked her lips like an animal, till I could see….the moisture shining on the lips and on the red tongue.” (Dracula, 1897)
No wonder the staunch, moral Victorians lapped up this story like a cat at its cream.
Velvet Cataclysm came out first in ebook, and I had several people express confusion as to whether Saint, my hero, was a vampire OR a shapeshifter wolf. He’s both. Once again, I used Stoker’s Dracula for a reference here, only finding out after reading Dracula that werewolves and vampires have long been intertwined in myth. In Dracula, the Count not only shapeshifts into a wolf, he is the ‘king’ of the wolves.
I saw around us a ring of wolves with white teeth and lolling red tongues…All at once, the wolves began to howl as though the moonlight had some peculiar effect on them…How he came there, I know not, but I heard his voice raised in a tone of imperious command, and looking towards the sound, saw him stand in the roadway. As he swept his long arms, the wolves fell back and back further still. (Dracula, 1897).
Later, we learn that the Count took the form of a ‘gray dog’ or wolf aboard the ship to England. He later has a strange meeting with a local zoo-keeper in regard to his wolf, Berserker.
He was a “tall, thin chap…with a hard, cold look and red eyes…and a mouth full of white, sharp teeth. He had white kid gloves and he pointed out the animals and says: “Those wolves seem upset at something.”
Then, the animals “laid down, and the man came over, and blessed, but he didn’t put out his hand and stroke the old wolf’s ears.” (Dracula, 1897).
Velvet Cataclysm varies greatly from the original Dracula, even including a touch of science fiction within its plot, but I did include the vampire/wolf myth first penned to great-fame by Bram Stoker. Oh…and since it’s an erotic romance, I definitely included the salacious sexual appetites inherent to the vampire.
Thanks very much to Cynthia Eden for generously inviting me to blog here today. I’ll be giving away a print copy of Velvet Cataclysm to one commenter on this blog post!
Here’s a bit about Velvet Cataclysm, the first book in the Princes of the Underground series.
In his battle to resist, he found the impossible. His soul.
Princes of the Underground, Book 1
Christina Astor’s telepathic ability is an asset in her job as a psychiatric social worker. What’s driving her crazy, though, is her elusive, gorgeous landlord. She senses that Saint Sevliss wants her with an all-consuming hunger that’s somehow…different. Just how different becomes all too clear when his dangerous world collides with hers.
For centuries, Saint’s kind have been called vampire and werewolf. Even soulless. But their true nature remains a mystery. Bound by a magical mandate to control his bloodthirsty clone, Teslar, at all costs, Saint will do anything to keep Christina away. She infuses his gray universe with life and color, but his world—and his need—would destroy her.
When an attack reveals the true power of Christina’s gift, one thing is certain—Teslar won’t rest in his underground labyrinth until he possesses her, body and soul…
5 Lips, I was enthralled. I’d recommend this book to anyone and everyone.
–Two Lips Reviews
5 Stars…a fast paced, action packed and emotional erotic paranormal romance that had my adrenaline pumping and heart twisting. –Lea Closetreader Blog
“Beth Kery just became an auto-buy!” Larissa Ione, USA Today and New York Times bestselling author
Velvet Cataclysm, print and ebook, Purchase: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1609280849
WOW – this book sounds great! I would love to win a copy. 🙂
Thanks for the contest!
susanmik@gmail.com
Hi Susan,
Thanks for stopping by!
The cover is hot!
Hi Stephanie,
I was actually pleased with how it looks in print, as well. The black/white ended up really popping.
Thanks very much!
Hello Beth & Cynthia!
I love the fact that you are taking elements from Bram Stoker’s Dracula. I’ve always loved the book. Having a vampire/shifter hero, a psychic heroine and a dangerous nemesis lurking around sounds like such an exciting story. I have to agree with Stephanie, the cover IS hot!
Hi Stacie,
Nice to meet another fan of the original. 🙂 I seriously am always a little surprised by the complexity of it, and like I said..the sexiness of it.
Thanks for stopping by!
This book sounds great! I am very interested in checking it out! 🙂
Kelly
kittykelly28 @ hotmail.com
Thanks so much, Kelly!
well im in complete awe…a Vampire that is also a Shapeshifting wolf…seriously…does it get any better than that? I think not!
Howdy Wendy!
Well, like I said, I was just following the classic Dracula on that theme. I guess the myth has been intertwined in folklore forever, and Stoker was just playing off the myth. Pretty cool!
Thanks for blogging with me, Beth!
Very much my pleasure, Cynthia! I’m thrilled to be here. I love your website. It was one of my examples to Frauke for my new one. 🙂
Hi, Beth! Congrats on this in print! I actually didn’t know that the original Stoker mythology was so complex! How fascinating that the were and vamp mythologies are intertwined… Looking forward to reading Velvet Cataclysm–it’s been on my TBR for a while now! 🙂
Hey Fedora,
Yeah, Dracula was complex, and the mythology Stoker based it on, even more so.
Hugs!
Wow that sounds brilliant 🙂
Have to read for definite 🙂
Love
dee
Hi Dorota!
Thanks so much!
Hi Beth and Cynthia!
Congrats for your new releases! 😀
I’m looking forward to read any of your books, and will love to win a copy
Thanks
sawamura_foxman@yahoo.com
Hi! Thanks for stopping by and commenting, and good luck!
Hi Beth, congrats on the book coming out in print. Hi, Cynthia.
The only thing I love more than vampires is shifter, so this book is perfect. And I love the way it sounds. Thanks for this chance.
Hi Shanese! I’m glad you agree about the vampires and shifters. 🙂 Thanks for commenting.
Hi Beth and Cynthia,
Love shapeshifter stories and vampire stories…put them together and I absolutely can’t wait to read this book! Congrats for both your new releases!
Marianne
Hi Marianne! I’m glad it sounds appealing. I tried to do an original spin on a classic.
Sad to say I have never read Dracula. Guess I will need to make it one of my next to read books! Hope I win and if not congrats to the lucky person. Jodi T
I can’t wait to read this! It sounds like it’s right up my alley. I love paranormal romance books, vamps and all that stuff. Wow! I love contests like this.
This cover is perfect. Very sensual. Sounds very good and I would love to read it.
Thanks, Viki!
I was just on your website Beth reading about our new release!
I was just on your website Beth reading about your new release!
Hi Diane! Thanks for stopping by at Cynthia’s, as well. 🙂
Wow, what more can I say than Wow!! I would love nothing more than to get my hands on this book! Your a new author for me and one I will definately be looking out for. I would love nothing more than to win this book, thanks so much for the chance
Hi Jolene Love that name. Thanks for the comment!
am looking forward to this book 🙂 Its on my list
meandi09@yahoo.com
Even if I don’t win, I’m still adding this book to my TBR list. Sounds great!
Have not read your work yet, but this book is being added to my TBR list… love the sound of it!
Oh wow. This book looks great. Definitely putting this one on my TBR pile. It sounds great.
Congrats on the great reviews Beth. Since I love read paranormal romances, love the idea of your shifter/vampire hero.
Velvet Cataclysm sounds awesome. Paranormal books are my favorite, and I love vampires and shapeshifters. The cover is gorgeous!
This book looks INCREDIBLE!! I so want it!! It’s totally going to be my TBR list/pile!!
Ashley A
ash_app@hotmail.com
sounds like an exciting read; what a combo: vampire & shapeshifter.
sallans d at yahoo dot com
Wow sounds really great. I love the idea of having vamps and shapshifters in the same book 🙂
leaghchristensen@yahoo.com
Hi, Beth! I love the way your book sounds!
Velvet Cataclysm sounds awesome! I can’t wait to read it!
Looks great! Like everyone else, I agree the cover grabs me right away. I like the idea of a new tale on a favorite classic. Thanks for the contest, this is definitely going on my list of must haves 🙂
Wow! This book sounds amazing! and the cover is so hot! *fanning self
Beth, congrats on the release!!! I love the excerpt and can’t wait to read your newest book 🙂
wish you all the best Melanie
Hi Beth. Congrats on your print release. Velvet Cataclysm sounds great.
Thanks for the contest—the cover is very hawt, and the exerpt had me hooked…can’t wait for the release of this one, Beth. I am a series hoor and look forward to this.
Congrats on the release of the print copy, it sounds like a great paranormal!
Hi Beth
Congrats on the print release. Don’t enter me as I have your ebook.