This week I am honoured to have author Lynsay Sands as my guest here on Amberkatze's Book Blog. I got hooked on Lynsay's Argeneau Vampires
series not long after I stumbled into the Paranormal genre and they are always on the top of my pre-order list. This week the newest book in the series 'The Rogue Hunter
' was released and I asked Lynsay if she would have some time for us. Luckily she did and even though my copy of the book hasn't arrived yet (hate being in Europe) I know it will be an amazing read.Keep reading till the end to enter the contest!!!
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Amber - Hello Lynsay! Welcome to Amberkatze's Book Blog! Your Argeneau Vampire
series helped hook me on the Paranormal genre. Can you start things off by telling us about the series in your own words?Lynsay -– Oh gees, what to tell you. Well, it all started because of a kind of joking suggestion by a friend. She, myself and another friend who is a rather famous vamp writer with a dark series were yipping on msn messenger some six or seven years ago when the first friend typed in “We should do a vampire anthology together for Halloween.” The suggestion made me laugh and I said if I did that, my vamp would have to faint at the sight of blood or something. I threw out several other ideas, we all laughed, and then the subject changed to something else. We never did the anthology, but the ideas I threw out that night stuck with me and I started really considering it.
The Argeneaus were born.
They are first and foremost a family . . . who just happen to be vampires and their stories are about the things they face as such. They are not the dead, soulless vamps of tradition. There was no way I’d be able to understand and write about them. So my vamps had to have a different background.
This always sounds so silly when I try to explain it outside a story, but basically their ancestors were from Atlantis, which was technologically advanced as some myths claim, and the scientists in Atlantis combined bio-engineering and nano technology to create special nanos that could be injected into a person who was either injured or ailing from Cancer or such. The nanos were programmed to then repair wounds or fight off illness from the inside and get their host to peak condition. They were programmed to dissolve and be flushed from the body when finished their work, however, what the scientists hadn’t considered was that the body is under constant assault by the environment, and even the simple passage of time. There is always something to repair. So the nanos didn’t dissolve and remained in the subjects, constantly repairing and fighting off illnesses like cancer or the common cold.
However, the nanos need more blood than a human body can produce to regenerate themselves and make these repairs and so on. This was fine in Atlantis where they were given transfusions, but when Atlantis fell and those with the nanos survived, they travelled across the mountains to find that the rest of the world was not nearly as advanced as Atlantis had been. There were no more transfusions to satisfy the nanos, so the nanos did what they had to and altered their hosts to be able to get the blood they needed. They gave them extra strength, speed and fangs so they could prey on others for blood. Because the sun does damage and causes more work for the nanos and the need for more blood, my immortals avoided sunlight to reduce the amount of blood needed and the risk of being discovered. In response, the nanos gave them better night vision. They do not age physically but stay at their peak age of 25 to 30. They do not get sick, injuries heal amazingly quickly, and so long as their head isn'’t cut off of they aren’t trapped in a fire or something, they will not die. Basically they are vampires who are not dead.Amber - Now each book in the series can stand alone but there are little family tidbits that you can only appreciate if you read them in order. Was this always the plan for the series?
Lynsay –- I really only had plans for the original vamp family when I started. That was Marguerite and her children Lissianna, Lucern, Bastien and Etienne. But once I started doing their stories the other characters started coming to whisper in my ear. They wanted life mates too, and for their stories to be told as well, and it’s just grown from there. I think part of the problem is that every character kind of has a whole back story in my head. The minute they walk into the scene they have a life, character, troubles, etc. It helps me to understand their motivation and how they’'ll react to things so that I can be more true to the character. But because of this, they become too real to me and then I want to play with them too.
Amber - The Rogue Hunter
is book # 10 in the Argeneau Vampire series. Can you tell us a little about what this newest release is about?Lynsay - The Rogue Hunter
is about Garrett Mortimer. He was an enforcer we met in Kansas in Bite Me If You Can
where he helped Lucian wipe out a rogue’s nest, rescue Leigh who turned out to be Lucian’s life mate, and then later helped in the hunt to catch that rogue up in Canada. 
He and his partner, Bricker, are on another job, searching for a rogue loose in cottage country about two or three hours north of Toronto. They’'re sent up to use Decker Argeneau Pimm’s cottage as a base for their search. (Decker’s there to help as well) What Mortimer finds when he gets to the cottage is Decker’s neighbor, Samantha Willan. Sam isn’t exactly what he dreamt of when he fantasized about finally meeting his life mate, but he soon learns the nanos are never wrong.
As for Sam, she’s a young, over-worked attorney who has been dragged to the family cottage by her two sisters. She’s still kind of getting over a serious break up and in no way interested in romance, but circumstances (Mortimer’s rogue hunt and her own search for the missing daughter of an important client) keep throwing her and Mortimer together and every time they do, sparks fly.
Amber - How many more books can we fans expect in the Argeneau Vampires
series and which family members are still likely to get a book to themselves?Lynsay –- Geez, I don'’t even know the answer to that. As I say, I only planned on four to begin with, but the story ideas just keep coming. Right now I can tell you that Decker’s story, The Immortal Hunter
, follows The Rogue Hunter (Argeneau Vampires, Book 10)and comes out in March 2009. It should be followed about six months later by Tiny McGraw’s story which I'’m working on writing right now. After that I have complete stories in my head for Jeanne Louise, Christian, Armand and three other characters I can’'t mention yet. However, I only have one more book contracted so we shall have to see if people keep wanting to read them and publishers are willing to print them.Amber - I was really happy to see the Family Tree in the newer books. However they give the ending of the book away. Was this intentional or a mistake?
Lynsay –- UGH! It was a mistake at the publisher’s and I was pretty upset myself. There’s nothing like giving away the story before they even read the first line. Geeez.
Amber - Who is your favourite Argeneau family member? Are any of the
characters based on yourself or people you know?
Lynsay -– Lucian is probably my favorite of the moment, although I love them all, and yes, a lot of characters are based on people I know. In fact, nearly every family member I have and some friends have had a character named after them. Marguerite is named after my mother and very similar to her in character. Then there is Terri, Jackie, Justin Mortimer, D.J., Inez, Rachel, Greg . . . The Knights who are neighbors in The Accidental Vampire
are actually based on my real neighbors Karen, Mike and Owen, and the house in that book is mine with a few adjustments. There are loads of things in the book that reflect real life. Just not the vampirism part, unfortunately (grin). As for characters based on me . . . nope. I just couldn’t write a character based on myself. I'’d be too self-conscious and stiff, but I'’m sure bits of me come out in words now and then.
Amber - Your Vampire series would be a great TV series! Have there ever been
any plans to that effect? Any famous actors or actresses you would like to see play certain characters?
Lynsay –- No plans that I know of. As for famous actors or actresses to play certain characters, that’s really hard. The characters come to me so set with their looks and characters in place . . . I always cringe when my editor sends me new covers. They just aren’t ever as they are in my head. The closest one was Thomas in Vampires Are Forever
. The guy on the cover looks very like my Thomas. But other than that, I have trouble putting actors or actresses in their place. I know some writers do. They’'ll say in the book itself “he looked like Matt Damon” or something, but I just don’t. I think maybe my characters are more real to me in my head. They aren’t gorgeous, perfect people who look like they just stepped off the pages of a magazine. They may be gorgeous to one of the characters, but they also have flaws and actors and actresses just don’t seem to . . . or they’'re air-brushed out (grin.)Amber - You don't just write great Vampire Romance. What other books can you tempt us with?
Lynsay -– I write historical as well and have, in the past, written some medieval vamps and one contemporary spy spoof. They are all basically romantic comedies with some mystery and adventure thrown in. But beware, they have some things in them you won’'t find in the vamps . . . like ailing farting horses by the fire in the great hall, and things of a completely unclassy nature.
Amber - What is next? Any other projects you are working on?
Lynsay -– I'’m considering doing some more spy spoofs. I had great fun with The Loving Daylights
and wouldn’t mind doing a follow up. And, of course, I have more historicals coming. Three are done and at the publishers waiting to go to print. One of them is slated for release January 27 2009 (Devil of the Highlands
) though I haven’'t got dates on the other two yet.Amber - What has been the most memorable event you have experienced as a writer?
Lynsay –- Of course that would have to be the first call I received to offer on the first book, The Deed
. Or maybe the first time I hit the New York Times List. Or maybe the first time I attended a writer’s conference, met readers and realized that it wasn’t just my own family reading them after all. And God! I get some really wonderful and touching letters, several of which stand out in my mind. I have the most amazing readers in the world but when they write to tell me they’ve been going through a real tough time and my stories helped them escape for a bit and smile again . . . well, that’s just about the best thing there is. Honestly, I'’ve been blessed with a lot of memorable events and experiences. There are tough times too; bad reviews, etc., but the good always helps me pick myself back up.
Amber - If you have time to read what do you like to read? Any favourite
authors? Series?
Lynsay -– Lol. Reading. I remember that. LOl. Well, my favorite author is Dean Koontz. I like horror. Is that awful for a romance writer to say? I also enjoy lighter reads. I like to laugh, so romantic comedies are my second favorite read.
Amber - You are stranded on a desert island. What 5 things do you hope to have with you?
Lynsay -– My husband, a fishing pole, a saw (Cause I am not the sort to sleep in the sand under a pouring rain so I'’d have to build something to live in) a pen and lots of paper (think of all the writing I could get done with all that quiet time).
Amber - Thank you again Lynsay for your time! Keep the great books coming and I hope you will come visit us again sometime!
Lynsay - Thank you for having me, Amber. It was nice visiting.
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Contest time!Lynsay has kindly said that she will send the winner of this weeks contest a signed copy of The Rogue Hunter
! To enter the contest you have to post a cool vampire name in this thread. You can post the name of a vampire you have already read, seen etc or invent your own! No name no entry!
You can earn yourself another entry if you post about this contest somewhere on the net. Make sure you post a link to your post so I can check it out!
If you enter please make sure you check back to see if you won. I don't usually have time to chase the winners down.
The contest is open until Sunday 12th of October 4pm CET.
Enter and enjoy!
Labels: Author Interviews, Contests, Lynsay Sands, New Releases
Branwenn ~ from Welsh Authurian legend meaning "fair raven"... Welsh "bran" = raven + "gwen" = "fair, white." It's a beautiful name, but something about the mixture of "fair & raven" seems to make me think Vampire! Bwahahaha!
Morrighan ~ Irish meaning "great queen." Yep, I could see myself as a Great Vampire Queen!LOL Also, the name just sounds...ancient & mysterious!
I think the most beutiful immortal name that I've ever read in any series is Lissianna Argeneau, who is featured in the first book of the Argeneau series...A QUICK BITE...so if I were to choose a name from the paranormal romance books I have read, that would be it! Also of the male Argeneau series characters ***POSSIBLE SPOILER*** My personal favorite name is Garrett Gordon Mortimer of THE ROGUE HUNTER!:) Hmmmm...guess you can tell I'm a fan of The Argeneau Series!
Hi, Lynsay! Great interview...a big thanks to the host and to you for doing this one!
At 6 October 2008 at 05:59, 
Gina G.
Hi! I posted your link to the contest on Dakota Cassidy's Accidental Fans Yahoo group.
I'd name my vampire Regina and her lover boy would be David....they would have vampire children named James Richard, Ashley, Presley, Glory, Grizwald and Spanky.
I love Argeneau Vampires! I'm so glad you put a family tree in the books, makes life easier and I'm really hoping you are going to do stories on the cousins!
Gina in Springfield, IL
At 6 October 2008 at 08:24, sin
Hi..Posted this link in the:
lynsay_sands@yahoogroups.com.
Loved the interview. The Rouge Hunter is awesome Lynsay. Can not wait for Decker's story along with the others you have in mind to write.
As for favorite vampire name: Love Lucian. He just sends chills up my spine.
Also like the names: Mina,Dierna.
Micail, Matthew
Those are some interesting names I could think of.
Again loved the interview, thanks for a chance to win and look forward to more of you books.
sin
At 6 October 2008 at 11:08, Lemonitsa
Hi Amber! Hi Lynsay!
Wow! Great interview :) I really enjoyed it. Lynsay, I have lots of fun reading your books!
OK, so the vampire name that does it for me is Rafael.
And, I posted a link to this on my lj, Amber. Hopefully some people will see it and pop in. --->
http://lemonitsa.livejournal.com/45053.html
cheers and hugs to you both!!
Lemmy
At 24 October 2008 at 06:44, Kitty
I normally admire combinations of myths or legends because the bland stories don't always have a good basis for a storyline. Just like Lynsay, she mixes her vampires with Atlantis (which is a brilliant idea, considering we know so little facts about it).
So in doing so, I'll name a few off some of the stories I'm working on. Combined vampires with ancient myths of the Archangels of the Bible, I prefer:
Michael
Gabriel
Raphael
Azrael
... and the remaining names.
Each Archangel meant something in particular so basing the vampire's personality on that, as if they were reincarnated in the form of a living creature to protect humanity.
Those are just a few of the names I have decided to share with you from the stories I have been writing. The following are the demons, my vampire's enemies, who were once archangels themselves but have fallen with Lucifer (the Devil/Satan--who also has a third name, as well). They can also be considered vampires.
Chemos
Asmodeus
Behemoth
Incipul/Incupul
Leviathan
Any one of these names can serve to be a vampire name because of their originality and (if you prefer the more depressing myth) their soulnessis.
by Kelley Armstrong
Angelique Choiseul