Were You Always Aware of Weres? or Shady Shifters Shyly Slink in Shadows

AUTHORS & BOOKS

Read the totally bitchin review I got on You Say "Weird" Like It's a Bad Thing. "Happy Hour at Casa Dracula sounded like just the thing! I like happy hour. I like Dracula. I like casas! Hell, I even like the word 'at.' I grabbed a beer and ran a bath and dove in." See, that is my niche audience: people who like happy hours, Dracula, casas and beer. And, yes, I do pronounce niche the French way, because it's much more pretentious.

Read a description of Karen MacInerney's July 2009 release, Leader of the Pack. "There’s one thing, though, that she’d rather keep under wraps: Sophie is a werewolf, which can get her in a whole lot of trouble."

Read a description of and sample chapter from C.T. Adams and Cathy (Cat) Clamp's Hunter's Moon . "What do you get when you cross an assassin with a wolf? A good reason to stay indoors on the full moon."

Looking for a new shifter series? Rob Thurman's Deathwish, the fourth in his Cal Leandros novels, has just come out. Errant Dreams Reviews says, "Cal Leandros is half-human and half-Auphe. Unlike the modern conception of an Elf, the Auphe are strictly nightmare material. They’re insane, eternally hungry, and so badass that even vampires and werewolves fear them." Dear Author says, "Its blend of fast-paced action, sarcastic humor, and supernatural mayhem should appeal to anyone who’s ever loved the Winchester brothers on Supernatural." Well, that gets my attention.

Kimberly Swan reviews Kelley Armstrong's The Awakening. "This is the second release in the Darkest Powers series, and follows Chloe and her friends as they run for their lives in search of Simon’s father. Ms. Armstrong makes it impossible to set her books down, and this series is no exception." (Darque Reviews) SciFiGuy has a link to the first ten chapters, if you'd like a free peek at this YA.

Toby Barlow, author of Sharp Teeth, provides an important public service announcement for all who suspect their dogs of having alter egos. If you visit his site, you can take a personality quiz to find out your specific werewolf type.




MOVIES & DVDS

Watch a video interview of Alex Meraz (you have to suffer through commercials, ugh) about his role as the were Paul, a werewolf, in "New Moon," the "Twilight" sequel. "I get to turn into a wolf the size of the horse." (Access Hollywood)

I saw "Wolfen" once a long time ago. This old trailer doesn't quite do justice to the smart, tense, well-acted film, which stars Albert Finney, Gregory Hines, and Edward James Olmos. The New York Times said, "The performers are all fine, but it's the film's otherworldly look and sound that give 'Wolfen' the frequently stunning effect it has. Not since Nicholas Roeg's 'Don't Look Back' has there been such a beautifully mounted and designed scare movie."




GRATUITOUS VIDEO OF THE DAY

Here's a new video tribute to Michael Sheen, who plays Lucian in "Underworld" and will play Aro in "New Moon."

Is that a Werewolf in Your Pants, or Are You Just Happy to See Me?

THE BIG PICTURE

Werewolves rock, vampires suck, and zombies just fall apart. "But while you're all waiting around in your sexy zombie heels, using your umbrella corp skin cream, and boning up on jargony talk for the next Diablo Cody zombie flick, I'll be over here... with the cool kids. Smoking cigarettes, wearing tiny leather jackets, playing basketball and turning into werewolves." (Meredith Woener, io9)

Werewolves slaughter fashion show crowd and tragically ruin hairdos. "“He made me mess up my hair when he ran toward me because I had to jump out of the way. He ruined my day.” (Talon Marks)


AUTHORS & BOOKS

I've just posted Chapter Three of my young adult gothic novel, The Shadow Girl of Birch Grove.

Read a description and watch a trailer for Eternal Moon by Rebecca York. "Renata Cordona is the reincarnation of an ancient goddess. Jacob Marshall is a werewolf, a dog whisperer, and her true consort."

Spotlight and excerpt of Bride of the Wolf by Jennifer St. Giles. "But can a mortal woman attain true love with a man who is half wolf?" (Fresh Fiction)

Kimberly Swan hosts Jocelynn Drake and has a contest for Dayhunter. "I want the reader to pause and take a good look at the dark side and how easy it is to make a dark decision for what seems like a very good reason. It’s a slippery slope and every once in a while, we’re all bound to fall." (Darque Reviews)

Let's do the Time Warp again with a book from 1999: Night of the Wolf by Alice Borchardt. "In the sequel to The Silver Wolf, readers are once more lured into the minds of werewolves. We move back in time to Rome, where Julius Caesar is planning his attack on the North and Britain. The fierce young pack leader Maeniel watches the legions march onward, crushing all those before them. " (Romantic Times) Ms. Borchardt, who passed away two years ago, was Anne Rice's sister and wrote the historical Legends of Wolves series.

Review of Midnight Alley by Rachel Caine. "For some reason Morganville always reminds me of Santa Carla from The Lost Boys movie but that could just be me!" (Love Vampires)

Vampire Wire pal Lorraine Mark has opened an online store for cards made from her pen and ink drawings. If you're like me and always need to have cards on hand, be sure to visit her Out of My Mind Photo Ink shop!


MOVIES & DVDS


Michael Sheen will put on his hair suit to play Aro in the second Twilight movie, "New Moon." "Aro, the Volturi leader, can read the thoughts of those he has physically touched." (MTV) I dunno, I'm not feeling it without the scary wig, but if these actors were really committed to their roles, they'd grow their hair out like Gerard Butler did in "Dracula 2000," because if people can't believe in your hair, how can they believe in you as a supernatural and vampiliciously evil character?

Interview with Alex Meraz, who plays werewolf Paul in upcoming "New Moon," based on the Stephanie Meyer's novel. ""We are pretty much half-naked the whole time, running around and lurking..." (Entertainment Weekly)

Here's more info on Alex Meraz, who's joined the cast of "New Moon" as a werewolf. "He was discovered while break dancing in Phoenix, Arizona, and that (along with his looks and his heritage) led him to the industry." (Buddy TV)

Watch the trailer for the upcoming "X-Men Originals" flick, to be released May 1.




GRATUITOUS VIDEO OF THE DAY

"The X-Files" go all wolfy on you. I apologize for the song, but I think I could grow to like it because it's so bad.



We Are Scientists' "Impatience" explores the complex human/werewolf roommate relationship.

Werewolf Wednesday, or Howl Do I Love Thee? The Complete Shifter Playlist

I handed in my manuscript for Nancy's Theory of Style (Simon & Schuster/Pocket, 2010) yesterday and I'm completely fried. You know, when you just stare at things and the brain is on standstill and there's a faint buzzing sound? Like that. I'll be back to normalish by Monday.

Luckily for us, Vampire Reader Chris S. has come through with The Complete Vampirical and Werewolf Playlists. THANKS & THANKS, CHRIS!

Chris's mixes are eclectic, clever, fabulous and just what the Dr. Jekyll prescribed for those suffering from FBS (Fried Brain Syndrome). As always, Vampire Wire recommends that you crank it up, baby.

Vampirical

Chan Poling - I Don't Want To Kill Anymore
Tori Amos - Blood Roses
Sting - Moon Over Bourbon Street
Concrete Blonde - Bloodletting (The Vampire Song)
Arcade Fire - Vampire Forest Fire
The Volunteers - Vampire Joe
Margot & the Nuclear So & So's - Vampires in Blue Dresses
John Darnielle (of the Mountain Goats, with Aesop Rock) - from Coffee / Pigs
Tullycraft - If You Take Away the Make-Up (Then the Vampires They Will Die)
OutKast - Dracula's Wedding
Marbles - Dracula
El Madmo & Norah Jones - Vampire Guy
Arctic Monkeys - Perhaps Vampires Is A Bit Strong But
Inkubus Sukkubus - Intercourse With The Vampyre
The Flaming Lips - Talkin' 'Bout The Smiling Deathporn Immortality Blues (Everyone Wants To Live Forever)
Eels - Fresh Blood
Eskimo Joe - Black Fingernails, Red Wine
The Wolverton Brothers - Vampyre
Claudia Gonson - Bloody Sunrise
Noah & the Whale - Devil Town (Daniel Johnston)
Cotton Jones - Blood Red Sentimental Blues
Peeps Nake Mason - Vampyre Lullabye

Werewolf Moon

Don Chambers - Werewolf Moon
Thea Gilmore - Bad Moon Rising (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
Cat Power - Werewolf
Bonnie "Prince" Billy - Wolf Among Wolves
Blitzen Trapper - Furr (Daytrotter Session)
Sea Wolf - You're a Wolf
TV On The Radio - Wolf Like Me
Eels - Lone Wolf
Redhill Rats - My Father Was a Werewolf
Blair - Wolfboy
The Tragically Hip - I'm A Werewolf, Baby
Adam Sandler - Werewolves Of London (Warren Zevon)
Guided by Voices - Bright Paper Werewolves
Jody Cooper - Werewolves
The Chrysler - Eddie
Josh Ritter - Wolves
Le Loup - We Are Gods! We Are Wolves!
Les Savy Fav - What Would Wolves Do?
Skybox - Werewolf
Michael Hurley - The Werewolf
Gomez - Blue Moon Rising
Logan Whitehurst & the Junior Science Club - When Werewolves Collide

Here's my favorite werewolf song, "Wolf Like Me," by TV on the Radio: "We could jet in a stolen car/but I know we wouldn't get too far/before the transformation takes and bloodlust tanks and/crave gets slaked."



James Nesbitt starred in a BBC series called "Jekyll," and he was terrific as the shifting madman/father/husband, who will do anything to protect his family. I only saw a few creepy, exciting, tense episodes, but I hope it comes on again. Gina Bellman, who is a gifted comic actress, took a serious turn as the woman.




GRATUITOUS VIDEO OF THE DAY

Today's GVD goes out to James Nesbitt, who should be more well known.



Just for fun, here's a GVD featuring John Barrowman as Captain Jack Harkness of "Torchwood."

Contest Weiners & a "Behind Blue Eyes" Compendium

I'll be done with my rewrite of my new novel for Simon & Schuster/Pocket in a few days. I've been on the computer so long, my eyes feel as if they have petrified. And, to answer your question, no, this is not an especially good feeling.

In the meanwhile...

The winner of Natasha Mostert's supernatural adventure, Keeper of Light & Dust, is Vicky London! Congratulations, Vicky, and I hope we'll be seeing a review of this book on your terrific Vampire Genre site!

The winner of Caridad Pineiro's contest for The Fury, her new The Calling novel, is Deb's Desk! Deb's, you'll also be getting a Sins of the Flesh t-shirt.

Winners, please email your mailing address to me, so you can receive your prizes.

I seriously can't think of anything else until I finish my manuscript, so I'm just going to leave you with videos.

I'm thinking of "Behind Blue Eyes" in my next book, so I'll start with some vids featuring that. The song is originally a The Who tune, and it's such a great tune, I'm glad the Limp Bizkit cover has made it known again. There's also a cover by Thomas Godoj.

Spike (James Marsters) of "Buffy":



Sawyer (Josh Holloway) of "Lost":



Guy of Ghisborne (Richard Armitage) of "Robin Hood":



Sam Winchester (Jared Paladecki) of "Supernatural":



Lestat of Lioncourt (Tom Cruise and Stuart Townsend):





Capt. Jack Harkness (John Barrowman) of "Dr. Who" and "Torchwood":