I know some of you folks like vampires. Most of you know by now that I do not.
Even so, in the interest of doing a competent interview with Colorado author Lynda Hilburn for the Sisters in Crime — Rocky Mountain Chapter website, I read The Vampire Shrink (Medallion Press, 2007). This novel is the first in the Kismet Knight series and features a Denver psychologist who thinks a couple of her clients are delusional. It turns out those clients really are the vampires they imagine themselves to be. I gotta tell you, vampires aside, Lynda’s novel is full of suspense, humor, romance, and sex. It’s a great read.
The second book in the series, Dark Harvest, is now available. Lynda’s book trailer is at You Tube and it’s kind of creepy. But I’m anxious to see what happens next to Kismet Knight, so that book is now sitting in my TBR stack. I found her a gutsy, interesting character and I liked the psychologist angle. The trouble with a good vampire mystery/erotic romance/fantasy is that it has vampires in it. But this is my personal problem; I shouldn’t be bothering you with it.
This author is even more interesting than her character, Kismet. According to her website biography, Lynda is also a psychologist; she has experienced life as a rock-and-roll singer/musician and a professional psychic; and she is also a certified hypnotherapist. Her interest in the paranormal goes back to her childhood, a time when she had imaginary friends and could sometimes see dead relatives. I assume when she says that she means the ghosts or spirits of dead relatives, but I haven’t been all that anxious to ask more questions about that particular experience.
Paranormality, Lynda’s blog, has a lot to offer you paranormal story lovers, including story excerpts and guest bloggers. If you are a fan of the paranormal genre, and enjoy mystery and humor in your sexy romances, please give Lynda Hilburn’s novels a try.
Great blog. As a vampire fan I will definitely check out Lynda.
Pat and I chatted about why she doesn’t like werewolves and vampires. You can find that chat on my blog http://darkhourvampires.wordpress.com
Patricia, I love this book review. You gave the book a thumbs up despite the fact that it had vampires which apparently make your skin crawl. That is indeed a great review!
Helen
Straight From Hel
Dear Patricia: Thank you so much for writing about me and my books! I’m so happy you enjoyed my stories, in spite of the undead status of some of the main characters! LOL. I appreciate you. It was so excellent meeting for lunch. I hope we can do it again!
Hugs, Lynda
I’m not up on current vampire fiction, but I did write a vampire short story a few years ago. I never tried publishing it, but it was inspired by the now-deceased soap opera Port Charles, wherein Michael Easton played a devastatingly attractive vampire as well as his twin, who was a priest. Maybe I should resurrect the story and see if anybody bites (sic).
Julie Lomoe
Visit my blog: Julie Lomoe’s Musings Mysterioso
http://julielomoe.wordpress.com
I didn’t think I liked vampire stories either. My daughter convinced me to try a Sookie Stackhouse novel by Charlaine Harris and I am enjoying it – so who knows – I may be ready for Lynda Hilburn’s next. It sounds like it has an interesting premise.
Jane Kennedy Sutton
http://janekennedysutton.blogspot.com/
Good for you! It’s nice to see you extending your comfort zone. That is not an easy thing to do but you did it very well. This is a very nice post and you piqued my interest! Off to check out her paranormal blog!
Thanks
Nancy, from Just a Thought…
Cool that you’re really branching out in terms of the genre of books you write about! I’m impressed.
Vamps….ehhhhhh. Not so sure they do much for me. ‘Course, unlike you, I’ve not really given them a fair chance. Problem is: So much to read, write, and do…so little time. How to spend it wisely..
Best Regards, Galen.
GalenKindley.com
I haven’t read vampire books since Anne Rice’s early novels, but I may have to give these a try. Thanks for the tip.
Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
I’m with you on the vampire thing. Maybe it’s because I’m such a ‘character driven’ reader (and writer) that I can’t connect with vampires. I’ve managed to enjoy some ghost books, though.
This one sounds like it might have something I could get hooked on (I was going to say ‘sink my teeth into’ but … )