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