When I started doing research for this series I tracked down a copy of the Book of Enoch (written by Enoch, Noah's great grandfather, which is not recognized by Christians and Jews as scripture and ruled apocrypha). It is the story of Enoch's visit to heaven, guided by an angel, and he was shown around, introduced to the various tiers of angels, and generally, earned a darn good tale to tell. I've used a lot of that mythology as a basis for this series.
I love that my Fallen ones are not necessarily the good guys. They, the angels, looked upon mortal women and wanted to Fall so they could basically sex them up and party all night with them. Of course, when a Fallen gets together with a mortal woman (I call the chosen mortal woman a Muse in my stories) she gets pregnant, and the resulting baby is a Nephilim. And let me tell you, you don't want to mess with a Nephilim. They are actually mentioned in the Bible, and nothing good is said about them. They are giants with carnivorous appetites. So you can see why it would be a good thing for me to keep the Fallen away from the Muses.
Enter the Sinistari demons, who were forged specifically to slay the nasty Fallen (yep, the demons are, mostly, good guys in this series). And what about the vampires? Well, they are without doubt, the real bad guys of the series. If you've read my stuff, you know my vampires run in tribes, and the Anakim tribe of vampires in this story descended from the Nephilim, and at this point in time, are incredibly weak and can't even walk in sunlight. They need a Nephilim to strengthen their bloodline.
Do you see where all this is headed? Rumors of an apocalypse are mentioned. Yep, it's going to be a lot of fun, filled with action and adventure, a touch of horror, and even some divine revelations.
The next books in the series are FALLEN (Feb '11) and ASHES OF ANGELS (tba). To read the prologue and first chapter of ANGEL SLAYER stop by my website! And if we haven't already given away a ton of books this week here at Riding, I'm going to toss in 3 more copies of ANGEL SLAYER to send to 3 lucky winners.
So, it's all about angels, demons, and vampires in the paranormal genre right now. Do you think vampires have had their heyday? Think it's time for the angels to rise as the new stars? Or are you just glad for the awesome variety the genre offers? Or maybe you're sick of it all and want to see more 'normal' books on the romance shelves?
Michele
26 comments:
Michele-- I can't wait to pick up THIS one! Sounds wonderful! I think angels may be the new vamps. . . but then, what do I know?
I think anything still goes. Yes I think the Twilight phenomenon brought out all the vampire lovers and brought a lot of new readers to the vampire books, but I think there's room for everything. I enjoy reading them all.
Hi, Michele! Vampires will never lose their eerily erotic allure. They can easily dispatch all challengers to the paranormal throne. Vampires are the most insidious evil, often appearing solicitous and charming. All the while, they are sensing the beat of your heart and savoring the thought of slaking their thirst with the red, red wine of your blood. I've no doubt Vampires will be around as long as humanity exists.
gcwhiskas at aol dot com
Linda, yep, Twilight shone new light on the paranormal genre as a whole. I certainly do appreciate that.
Virginia, I'm with you on vamps being around forever!
Hey Michele! This one sounds fantastic!I love stories of fallen angels so I want to read this one. I'm familiar with the basis of the research you did on this one so I can't wait to see how you made it into a story.
I still love paranormals and won't be leaving them anytime soon. When I actually have money to BUY books, I'll normally always go for the paranormal because I KNOW I'll like it. I def. think the genre will be around for a while yet.
ksg_amg@yahoo.com
hi michele,
i enjoy reading about all of those 'creatures' out there.
karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
Can't wait to get my hands on this one. I think vamps were, are and will continue to be a fascination but the paranormal realm is vast so angels & demons have to make themselves known as well.
Angel Slayer sounds great.
I think vampires are still big and won't be going anywhere. Same goes for angels,demons and all other paranormal creatures,its a huge genre right now and I don't see it slowing down any time soon.
elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net
Hi Michele. Your new series sounds great. I love the cover to Angel Slayer. I am glad there is a variety of characters in the paranormal genre.
Congratulations on the new release, Michele!
As for vamps - I think they're still on a hot streak :o0
Michele, what fun! I love how carried away you get with your worlds. I think it's time for Angels to rise in popularity - that's not to say that vampires are dead. But the genre seems ready for some new stars. Like Michele Hauf!!
Michele--I think it all works, as long as the characters are compelling. I love variety in what I read! Don't enter me today, since I already won your book in the Sunday drawing (big smile.) Thanks.
yeah, i missed my chance to win your book last week. hoping i will get it this time :)
i enjoy all those awesome variety of genres.
>>so they could basically sex them up <<
LOL!
That's funny, but the story sounds great.
I don't think the vamps are "done" yet. They've been around too long to be a trend. I think they'll always be strong, but writers will need to bring more to the party. Find interesting new slants to the stories they bring.
Oh, and voice.
The market is crowded with "I'm writing vamps because someone told me they are selling."
Wonderful new voices are where the growth will be. i think.
Please don't enter me in the giveaway...I just won a copy in your major giveaway this past week.
As for your question...I don't think vampires will ever go out of style... I think that they have too many interesting characteristics to really ever bore anyone.
I've got to say that I'm absolutely fascinated by the premise of the story...how you've taken a completely different approach to Fallen Angels and then having demons as the safeguarding measures. Very cool and highly intriguing.
I'm a paranormal romance fan and as far as I'm concerned there aren't enough books out there tackling it.
*hugs*
Anna
I love vampires and don't feel like I had enough. But I'm also interested in angel stories so ... keep 'm both coming I say.
Like Deb said, the paranormal genre will grow as long as new and intriguing 'voice's' are around. I keep hearing publishers want vampires but not the same vampires. They want classics, but with a new twist. So while I feel the vampire romances genre may be a bit oversaturated right now, I love when I find one with a fabulous new voice and interesting twist to the tried-and-true. (I hope I'm doing that!) :-)
By the way, this series was my first chance to really do vamps as bad guys. Fun stuff.
Michele, wow! I love the background for the premise of your story. SO cool! And I, too, enjoy fallen angels. Huge congrats on the book!
I'm tired of vampires myself, and am very happy to see demons and angels! Yes! Love the prologue and first chapter!
I don't think that vamps are out. I think that it's just there is room for more than vamps in the publishing world. as long as it's a fantastic read I will read it.
I think as long as it is a great story paranormals in whatever form are here to stay.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
Michelle, you must have some paranormal powers the rest of us don't because you have been blessed by the cover gods recently! Another great cover!
I think vampires are still very trendy; they just never seem to go out of style. For myself, I read very few paranormal romances; I've only found a few that I've liked. I still think there is a great market for them though.
Congrats on your new release. I like all kinds of paranormal creatures. Each bred has their own different personalities, traits, powers, etc...which I find interesting. I like them all.
Congrats on the new release. I don't think vampires are out. I think there is room in the paranormal genre for variety.
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