Interview with Rebecca Zanetti Back to Blog
Update: The winner of FATED is…Angie D! Congrats, Angie!
Today, I’ve got new Kensington Brava author Rebecca Zanetti in the interview hot seat! Rebecca has a fabulous new vampire series that will be launching with Kensington very soon–soon as in February 22! Welcome, Rebecca! And congrats on your new release!
Now, let’s jump into the interview!
1. You’ve got an exciting new series set to launch with Kensington Brava–will you tell readers what they can expect from the Dark Protectors?
The series features sexy vampires, dangerous shifters and deadly witches. Throw in alpha males, some steamy romance and a deadly virus out to destroy them all, and I think you have a fast-paced, exciting read.
2. What inspired your upcoming release, FATED?
I had this scene in my head about a single mom being squired away for safety by an overbearing soldier—kind of a surreal, this is so not happening scene. So I wrote it. Turns out the soldier was a vampire and possibly the destined mate to the single mother. Though of course, that was a decision they had to make themselves. Maybe fate played a part. Maybe not.
3. You write about some pretty intense situations…do you have a dark side of your own?
I’m pretty sure I do. 🙂 The whole big theme of good versus evil intrigues the heck out of me. And the evil has to be really bad for us to be impressed when good wins. To make it more interesting, good and bad are never absolutes. I mean, my good guy can be pretty bad. So the bad guy had better be freakin beyond evil.
4. How do you research your books?
Well, I Google a lot. I also ask people who know more than I do. For example, in FATED there’s a virus that attacks the chromosomes of vampire mates, so I talked to a couple of scientists to make sure I had the genetics right. I did get to play around a bit because hey, there aren’t really vampire mates with extra chromosomes (I’m pretty sure), but I wanted the basic science to be accurate.
5. Why did you decide to make vampires the “good” guys in your books?
I’m not sure I really sat down and decided that. I wrote the scene that had been spinning around in my head, Talen the hero turned out to be a vampire, and well, he was so sexy he had to be the good guy.
6. What advice do you have for aspiring authors?
Write that story in your head that you want to read. Don’t watch the market; don’t think about how your great-grandmother is going to react to your sex scenes, just write the book. Pretend it’s only for you. Other people want to read that, too.
7. Why do you like writing paranormal tales with a dark edge?
I think it’s a way to explore a bit. I’ve always followed the rules…and in dark paranormals you can let your wild side out—even ignore the rules or change them completely.
8. What can readers expect next from you?
Definitely more dark paranormals…I love exploring different worlds. I’d also like to try my hand at a romantic suspense series. More good vs. evil probably.
So, I’d love to give away a signed copy of FATED to one commenter. Here’s a question: Should a vampire be a good guy? Feel free to answer or just comment on whatever’s on your mind. We’ll draw a name in a few days.
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Thank you for a great interview! I think Vampires in general are perceived as dark, evil and dangerous. However, I do believe there can also be good found within. Trying to find the balance of good/evil within makes for an exciting story.
Hi Chris! I so agree. That balance is even fun with the villian…but he ultimately chooses evil and I think the hero ultimately chooses to be good. Well, kind of. 🙂
Hello Rebecca!
I think vampires can be the good guys. With their years of experience comes wisdom and hopefully patience. I think they would have a unique perspective on what is truly good and evil. On the flip side I think those decades or centuries could potentially warp a vampire’s sense of right and wrong.
Fated sounds awesome! I love the idea of the hero being a vampire!
Hi Stacie! I also think that living that long helps a vamp to see that ultimately good wins. At least, I think it does. 🙂
Great interview Rebecca! I think vamps should have a dark an dangerous side but then the loving side:-) fates sounds so good and I can’t wait to read it. I’m so excited it comes out the day after my birthday 🙂 congrats!!
Thanks so much, Danielle! I agree in that it seems like vamps do have darkness, at least they’re more fun to write that way! Have a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 🙂
Congratulations on your new KB series! It sounds like a winner to me.
I like Vampires as both good guys and bad guys. I don’t see any reason why they can be both depending upon the individual. I can see how time can distance an immortal from the same thinking as us short lived types.
Hi Anne! I totally agree. There are good vamps and bad vamps in FATED…and their motivations aren’t that much different if you break it down. But their methods are. Thanks for dropping by today!
Hi, Rebecca! Thanks for blogging with me! I love vampires as both good guys–and bad. They work either way! 🙂
Hi Cynthia! Thank you so much for having me over today – I love visiting your blog! And BTW, I just finished DEADLY HEAT and loved, loved, loved it. It was hot…(pun intended.) 🙂
I like them both ways, keeps things interesting!!!
I’m with you, Missy! And I also like that crossroads when they could go either way. Thanks for commenting today! 🙂
I’m kind of tired of reading about vampires as bad guys. Writing about them as good guys will be refreshing. I can’t wait to read this book! Congrats, Ms. Zanetti!
Thanks Christa! I figure if lawyers can be good guys, so can vampires. HAHA
Vampires can be the good guys–as long as they dont lose thier dark edge, at least in my opinion. I like the thought of the bad, dangerous alpha male being a protector.
Great interview!
Ruth
Hi Ruth! I totally agree. A sweet vampire huddling under the kitchen table when danger comes knocking doesn’t do anything for me. I want the vamp meeting danger at the end of the driveway…licking his lips in anticipation. 🙂
I can’t wait for this book to come out. It’s at the top of my TBR pile!
I love it when vampires are the good guys, but then I love it when the unexpected happens. I like a hero who has a lot of bad in him and a villain that has a very good reason for being a villain and not just because he was born that way.
Hi Danica! I’m with you. And I like the possibility for both hero and villian that they could go the other way…and yet they don’t. Have a great week! 🙂
Hi Rebecca,
Great interview! Very excited about your new series,Dark Protectors, how many books do you have lined up for it?
To answer you question, I think vampires need to have a mix of both bad and good. They live in a very dark world and need to have a bad side to survive it, but their good side will keep them balanced and above it 🙂
Can’t wait for FATED, less than 2 weeks, 😀
Hi Michele! Well, so far we have FATED, CLAIMED (10/25/11) and HUNTED (July-ish 2012). But I do have several more I’d like to write for that series…I’ll let you know! Thanks for dropping by today! 🙂
Great interview and I love your books.
I believe a vampire has a soul and if s/he was a nasty piece of work as a human, s/he will be the same or worse as a vampire. Someone who is good will try not to misuse or hurt others for the joy of it just because they’ve become a vamp. However, when one lives forever, if they aren’t staked, it can become a fight to prevent becoming desensitized.
Hi Linda! That’s so true…I hadn’t thought about being desensitized through the ages. I guess that makes a vampire who still has hope even more intriguing. Hmmm…there’s a story there! 🙂
I think vampires can be REALLY sexy. The superhuman strength, the power, the hint of a dark side…oh baby. I can accept bad guy vampires, but in a romance…I want the vampire to be the hero. However, I don’t care for wimpy vamps! There has to be that hint of a threat, of power.
Hi Cara – I’m with you. The hero needs that hint of power and threat to be intriguing. BTW – my heroine in FATED is named Cara. 🙂
Very good question you proposed Rebecca…
I have read both sides, with vampires being so dark there is no way they could ever do anything good and of course I have read the other side of them being good even though they live in a dark world. For me I love it when they are portrayed good with just an edge of bad to them and their story shows the world that just because they are portrayed as evil, they add so much good to the world through their actions 🙂
Hi Angela! Awesome point – their actions do really speak to who they are, right? No matter how bad a guy seems, if he stops to ‘save the cat,’ we know there’s hope. Have a great week!
Interesting question. I feel that a vampire can be either good or bad depending on what characteristics they possess. I have read about a lot of good vampires and also about some enemy vampires and have enjoyed both.
I agree, Leagh. And sometimes the characteristics that make them good, can also make them bad. Depending on circumstances and experiences. Great points! 🙂
Great interview. Congrats on the release! Looking forward to it.
I dont think they have to be the good guy. They make excellent bad boys too. But really I always want them to be the hero when they are in a book. But I dont have a problem when one vamp is the hero and one is the villain. And really I guess I dont have a terrible problem when the only vamp character is the villain as well. Although I probably try to find some good traits in those characters too.
Hi Donna! I love a bad boy who turns good. Or maybe a good boy who turns bad. Or both. IT’s the turning and the why of it that intrigues me. HAve a great one! 🙂
Hi Rebecca,
Congrats on your upcoming release! Awesome interview, and I’m really excited to read your book.
Of course vampires can be the good guys. “Good” is relative, as is “evil.” It’s all in the motivations and methods.
Hi Jess! I agree it’s all about motivations. And when the bad guy and the good guy have the same motivations but different methods…I really get interested. I hope you liked FATED. 🙂
Interesting interview! I am excited to read Fated. I definitely think vampires can be the ‘good guy’ as long as the keep that little bit of mysterious dark side too!
Hi Lisa! Thanks so much for popping by today! The mysterious dark side is my favorite part about a good vampire. Have a great week! 🙂
I think the reason we love all the big bad boy vampires that we read about are because the are good deep down inside. They just try to hide it behind all the dark and mysterious exteriors.
Good point, Maria! And I think they’re usually dark and mysterious because they’ve been hurt before…or they know what can go wrong. Thanks for commenting today! 🙂
I think they can be both good and bad guys. Just like everybody else they will have to make choices and live with the consequences. With longevity and historical comparisons on their side, their choices should be easier to make – unless it involves the heart – those never get easier.
Cybercliper: First of all, cool name. And I agree with you about choices involving the heart…they’re tough because they’re the choices that matter the most. 🙂
Very excited for Fated to be released! So happy for you, Rebecca, on this your very first release month. May there be many more.
Petrina
That’s so sweet, Patrina! I hope there are many more, too. Thanks so much for dropping by today, my friend! 🙂
I meant PETRINA! 🙂 I’m typing without looking here… 🙂
No, vampires don’t have to be good. Infact, I enjoy reading a story where the vampire hero revels in his abilities and enjoys being what he is. Then I love it when the heroine loves him for the way he is.
Infact, I prefer a darker, dangerous story more than light, fluffy, humorous ones. Though, I read them all.
Valerie
in Germany
Hi Valerie! I’m with you. I just wrote the story I wanted to read and didn’t really think about FATED being a dark paranormal until my editor described it that way. 🙂
I’m so excited for this book. I have had it on my list of books to pick up since last year. I also think vamps can be both good and bad. I do like a happy ending and I guess that means that the good guy always win in the end. Congrates on your new book, I’m so looking forward to reading it.
Hi Lori T! Thanks so much – I really appreciate the best wishes. And yeah, it has a happy ending. Of course! 🙂
To begin with I love vampires! Now to answer your question I like it when they are bad to begin with then something changes and they see the light so to say.
Hi Dawn! I love vampires, too. And what happens to make them change is always so intriguing to me! Thanks for dropping by today. 🙂
I was lucky and got to read a ARC of this book, all I can say is OH WOW!! Now, I am not a vampire fan and will not read those kinds of books. But I really enjoyed this book. I started Friday night and finished it Saturday afternoon. That is how good it was. The first page just got me interested and it went on form there. Of course I loved the fact the the hero was such a alpha male! This is one series I will be looking for the next book in because I liked how she wrote her vampires.
Do not miss out on this book, I am so glad I gave it a chance. Can’t wait for the next one.
Hi Debra! I’m glad you liked the ARC. Thanks so much for commenting today! 🙂
I like a mix of good and bad when I read about vampire characters. It depends on what the other characters are and what the main characters are trying to fight for. I love vampires who have a dark side but have redeeming qualities that make them good guys.
smccar1 at hotmail dot com
Hi Stephanie! I like a good mix as well–it makes for more conflict and excitement in a story. And it’s fun to redeem a bad guy. 🙂
I love vampire stories and I love them even more when the vampire is the good guy.
Hi Ilona! I like a good vampire as well…especially when he’s the protective out-to-save the heroine. (Even if she can save herself.) 🙂
I love vampire stories and I think that they can be both. I like reading about good guy vamps and bad guy vamps. Though I prefer good guy vamps.
Hi Danielle! I prefer good guy vamps as well. Especially when they need to fight to protect whatever it is that makes them good. 🙂
I know I am going to love this! My vamps can be either. In fact, I like it best when they’re both at once. On thing I really like is for them to be handsome no matter if they’re good or bad. It makes taking the badness so much easier :).
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/Jovial_1/status/35409521002156032
Hi Viki! Yeah, I agree. A handsome good vampire with a serious dark side is the hero for me. 🙂
I dont think he should have to be and sometimes it is better if he isnt.
Hi Melissa! Good point! Thanks so much for dropping by today. 🙂
Congrats, Rebecca on your almost there Release Day! May your books sell like hotcakes (esp. with this weather, you’d make a killing)!
Love your quote about how dark paranormals can let your dark side out. Ha! I think I write my stories for the same reason…besides a dark para hero is always such fun to write and read ;P
Hi Rashda! It is fun to let our dark sides out…especially safely on the page, isn’t it? Thanks for popping by today! 🙂
Congrats Becca! Looking forward to reading this!! Yep! Vamps can be heroes!!
Hi Jillian! Thanks so much – I hope you like it! 🙂
Why shouldn’t a vampire be a good guy?
It’s all in the writing, isn’t it? I mean, there are the “all vampires are eeeeeeeeeeeeebol” novels and then you have the “well, yes, except for this one (or two or three) vampire(s)”–and then you have the “vampires are just another type of people.” Any and all of those can work when well written, as far as I’m concerned.
Best of luck with the releases, Ms Zanetti.
Thanks so much, Azteclady! I agree it’s about the writing and the world we create…so long as the story works. Have a great week! 🙂
I enjoy vamps both as heroes and villians. Let their personalities come out through the story… everyone deserves the chance to redeem themselves and have their own HEA. 😀
Hi Colleen! I love a good HEA – for everyone. In movies, books and life. 🙂
Vampire stories got me hooked on paranormal romances years ago, and I love that the former bad boys now get a chance to be the hero.
Hi Cathy! I love how you put that. Same for me, the first paranormals I found and loved featured vamps…most bad. So the vampires have evolved through time! 🙂
Hi Rebecca! I think that a vampire can be anything that he/she wants to be. Although personally I think that I prefer for them to be the good guys. Congrats on your upcoming release. I already have it on my TBB list.
Thanks, Barb! I love being on a TBB list. 🙂 I prefer them to be the good guys, too. (As you can tell.) Have a great week! 🙂
I loved the Interview It’s a great way to find New Authors….Vamp’s are always Bad Evil rip your throat out drink your blood… I like a tender kind of Vamp ones like Lynsay Sands writes about why can they not find love mate for life I find it makes them more appealing…..
I am definitely marking this down on my TBB list.
Have a good one
Ann/alba
Hi Ann/Alba! I’m glad you liked the interview – Cynthia is great at thinking up those questions that really make you think! Thanks for popping by today. 🙂
I enjoy the big badass vampire that everyone thinks is bad, but deep down he or she is doing bad things for good reasons. Good luck on your series, I can’t wait to read it.
Hi Angie, thanks! I hope you like FATED. And I like the misunderstood hero as well! So long as he always keeps some of the badness. 🙂
I think a vampire can be a bad guy or a good guy, just like humans. Or, you know, another creature of your choice 😉
Totally agree, Chelsea! Plus we all have both good and bad in us, giving us choices. Vampires love choices. 🙂
I think a vampire doesn’t have to be a good guy and even when he is his nature is going to stop him from being all good.
Hi Maureen! Good point. It does seem like a vamp’s nature always holds darkness. Interesting. Thanks for dropping by today! 🙂
I would say good deep down… but with bad boy tendencies… Cause bad boys are hot.. right.. But we all want the good guy that will take out the trash too.. Do Vampires take out the Trash? hhmmmmm might need to go ask them that…
Thanks for a chance to win.. Rebecca is a new author to me and I’m looking forward to reading this book.. 😀
Hi Kelly! Yeah, I think the good vampires take out the trash…when they’re done kicking butt. 🙂
Great interview you guys. Can’t wait to see FATED on the bookshelves, Rebecca!
I’ll have to stick with vampires being bad. I like them dark and evil…that way my good guy can be that much more good. 🙂 Your vampire might be “a good guy” but he’s a pretty rough, good guy. That just makes him more yummy. 🙂
Hi Lynn! Yeah, my good guy vampire is pretty rough and dangerous. (And yummy!) Thanks for dropping by today! 🙂
Loved this interview! You two could go on a road tour with each other doing interviews. lol
I loved this book and I know others will too!
Have a great day and again, GREAT job!
Thanks, Bonnie! You have a great day too. 🙂
I adore vampire heros – they are the bad boys of the supernatural romance world. This sounds like a promising new series!
Hi Stephenia! I do love a bad boy vamp! Thanks for dropping by today.
Yes they should be good guys even when they’re bad! They are so enticing.
Hi Diane! “Enticing” is a great way to describe those sexy vamps! Thanks for dropping by tonight. 🙂
Of course I think vampires can be good guys!
Hi Susan! I’m glad you can see the vamps as good guys…considering the boys in FATED are good. (Pretty much). Have a great night! 🙂
i think like all folks vamps could be good or bad or in between..
scrtsbpal at yahoo dot com
Hi Pam! I think you’re right. Thanks for commenting tonight! 🙂
This sounds great. Can’t wait to read it. I love vampires, so they MUST be good. =)
Good point, Cathy! And even when they’re bad…some are so good! Have a great rest of the week. 🙂
Great interview. I know Lynn Rush spoke highly of your book on her blog. I’m looking forward to the release.
Hi Ciara! Isn’t Lynn fantastic? THanks for dropping by today! 🙂
I absolutely love vampires, so why not. I never really thought of vampires as being bad, I just thought of them as being sensual creatures of the night that need us to survive. What can be more sexy than that?? Plus there is nothing better than a hot vampire. (lol)
Cynthia, thank you so much for letting me know about this new series about vampires. Ms. Zanetti, thanks so much for writing it and best wishes on your new release 🙂 If I don’t win it, I will make sure to buy it anyways. Although, I would love to get a signed copy. 🙂 Thanks ladies!!