The Rise of the Lycans

I don't know about you but I have this "thing" about werewolves. Odd you might say for someone with a life long interest in anything vampire. Well...maybe, but the way I see it werewolves are misunderstood creatures. Three excellent novels about werewolves are: Bitten by Kelley Armstrong, The Passion by Donna Boyd and Night of the Werewolf by Harry Shannon. These novels showcase the best and worse of our fuzzy friends.

There is something so primal and physical about them. With a degree in Anthropology, I am continually looking at culture and subcultures as well. I am fascinated with the distinction made between vampires and werewolves. I even think I blogged about it in the past. I used the movies Underworld and Underworld Evolution to make my case. In these two movies you see the disparate natures of these two species who become enemies when one tries to enslave the other.

Vampires are generally depicted as handsome or beautiful, rich and well-dressed; educated, insightful and incredibly erotic and seductive. One can only imagine their house or apartment, richly decorated in excellent taste. Werewolves on the other hand seem messy, frumpy and probably smell funny! They have a hard time controlling their animal nature and more often than not, it gets them in trouble.

I am not expressing my opinions here, merely observations about the way in which the media has portrayed each of these supernatural beings. One of the most memorable characters is Jeremy Danvers from the novel Bitten. He is a handsome, insightful, educated, artistic werewolf. He is soft spoken, introspective and extremely powerful. He rules from his beautiful home in the country with a velvet voice and an iron will. I love him. He has stayed with me for years now and like my favorite vampire: Christian Du Maure, he has tried to rise above his basic nature. Sometimes he succeeds and other times it is much harder. Especially when emotions get in the way.

How human is that?

Titles

I am toying with names for my trilogy of novels. So much is conveyed in words and it must be something that resonates with my style of writing, my beloved vampires and the nature of the series. I went to my trusty Thesaurus and have found several words that resonate with me: Beguile,enchant,bloodlust, bloodkiss, bloodline, surrender, sate, rapture, hunger. Somewhere in all these words is a title for me.

So I write down words, then combinations of words that fit together and I let them sit and I know something will jump out at me or roll easily off my tongue. It will just feel right. Those who have read any of Immortal Obsession know it is not a happy, light romance, but who said romance has to be light or happy to be inviting or to make the blood boil? Especially when vampires are involved. There should be some of the "pit in the stomach" in reaction to a vampire, especially if he is beautiful with a voice that could melt butter on your skin. When you look into his eyes you sense he can see right down to your soul and while you know he wishes to steal it from you, you would give it willingly.

That is his power. It is chilling, seductive and forces the surrender of one will to another with no knowledge of the outcome. It's a dark gamble.