Vamps, Television Shows and Books!

Hello, I'm the author of HAPPY HOUR AT CASA DRACULA and MIDNIGHT BRUNCH, and I'm delighted to be writing a column about vampire and paranormal fiction, movies, and television. The popularity of paranormal stories just keeps growing, and, if you're like me, you enjoy watching a good vamp series, just as much as reading one.

Of course, the big news is the "True Blood" television series based on Charlaine Harris's terrific Sookie Stackhouse novels. This looks to be another quality production from Alan Ball, who also created "Six Feet Under." (He's gone straight from the dead to the living undead!) Charlaine posts the press releases for "True Blood" on her website, complete with photos of the Merlotte's bar sign. Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer are signed to star.

Another promising show is "Moonlight", a vampire detective series which will be aired on CBS. "Angel" fans will be happy to learn that Doug Greenwalt is the executive producer. Alex O'Laughlin and Amber Valletta will star.

There are so many paranormals and urban fantasies coming out next month that I can't name them all. Since my taste runs toward funny, here's a list of upcoming humorous paranormals.

DON'T TALK BACK TO YOUR VAMPIRE by Michele Bardsley. Read the first chapter of this novel on Michele's blog.

Real Vampires Live Large continues Gerry Bartlett's series about vampire fashionista Glory St. Clair.

Mike Carey's THE DEVIL YOU KNOW has a noir feel with a ghost-hunter narrator. I'm going to try to overcome my scaredy-catness and read this.

Authors Jennifer Crusie, Eileen Dryer, and Anne Stuart entertain us with THE UNFORTUNATE MISS FORTUNES. Three magical sisters battle a truly evil aunt. Visit the book's website to read an excerpt and the authors' blog.

THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN TORC by Simon R. Green is the latest in the Eddie Drood series.

DEMONS ARE FOREVER is Julie Kenner's latest in the Kate Conner demon hunter series. Enter Julie's contest to win a copy of her new books.

DRAGON HEAT by Jennifer Ashley writing as Allyson James is the first in a new series. And you thought the spare bedroom only hid dust bunnies.

MY SISTER IS A WEREWOLF by Kathy Love. Now we know why sisters always ruin your clothes when they borrow them. To learn more about Kathy and read a chapter of the novel, visit her MySpace.

Michelle Rowen's FANGED & FABULOUS is the sequel to BITTEN & SMITTEN. Dating is sucking the life out of Sarah. Michele's web home has a trailer, a contest, and the first three chapters of her novel. I've gotta love any trailer with a hot salsa soundtrack.

Blogs in the Know:
Midnight Moon Café, hosted by Brandi Broughton, Cassandra Curtis, Cora Zane, and Tempest Knight, frequently features author Q&As and contests on their Thursday "Midnight Brews." Check out their interview with Colleen Gleason, author of Gardella vampire chronicles.

Featured Interview:
Lara Adrian, author of The Midnight Breed series, talks about her first sale at Dear Author.

Something Fun:
Check out the trailer and game for Safe Harbor, the steamy final novel in Christine Feehan's Drake Sisters series.

Featured Contest:
For all things fanged, check out Chris Marie Green's (aka Crystal Green) June contest and get your hands on her first vampire series romance from Silhouette!

Please visit my blog, Vampire Wire, to bite into the daily dish on vamps in the media!

See you next month!...Marta