Would You Sleep With A Vampire? by Helen Scott Taylor

Writing paranormal romance obviously means writing about extraordinary or magical beings. Often the hero, heroine, or both are not human, or only partly human. And in a romance, one will usually have love scenes. So when does weird become too weird?

I suppose like many things it’s a matter of opinion. What woman wouldn’t be attracted to the tall dark handsome man who is also a vampire with his preternatural beauty, immortality, and superior strength? And the earthy attraction of a man who has the animal instincts and predatory nature of a wolf or panther tightly restrained beneath his veneer of humanity provides an intriguing and dangerous hero.

But what about a hero who has wings?

In my debut paranormal romance, The Magic Knot (Dorchester Jan 27) the hero and heroine both look human, although both are of fairy blood with magical powers. Writing love scenes between the heroine Rose who is half human and half Cornish pisky and the hero Niall who is Irish Tuatha dé Danaan was just like writing any normal love scene, except the first time they make love they are ‘running the light’ to release Rose’s hidden fairy qualities. But one of the secondary characters in The Magic Knot is a winged vampiric fairy called Nightshade.

The third book I plan to write in the series will be about Nightshade, and I’m already pondering the logistics of sex with a winged man. (It’s a tough job being a writer!) The thought of writing a love scene with a hero who is a testosterone charged vampire with a taste for power and blood, with the added spice of wings is an interesting prospect. I think his Scottish heroine is in for a great time!

Leave me a comment and tell me what type of magical or paranormal being is the most unusual or interesting hero or heroine you have read about for a chance to win a copy of The Magic Knot.

To read the first two chapters of The Magic Knot go to www.helenscotttaylor.com and click on the link on the front page.

Here’s a taster:

Rose Tremain sat on the chair before Niall’s desk, his Magic Knot cradled in her palm. She swayed slightly, her eyes dazed and dreamy. His nerves sparked. Need for her struck like lightning. He managed to suck in air, to ruthlessly crush the feeling until his body calmed.

So, he had been right. Rose Tremain was more dangerous than she appeared. She’d been sent to enslave him by capturing his stones. If she thought he’d give in easily, she had another think coming.

Silently, he walked forward and closed his hand over hers. His vision blurred at the whip of sensation. Too late, he realized his mistake in touching her. Gritting his teeth, he fought the mental pull as she sucked his very essence through their joined hands into a deep hidden part of her that whispered of ancient magic and mystery.

Niall snatched up his Magic Knot and stumbled back. His breath came in short gasps as he stared at her in shock. Rose was the Cornish pisky Tristan wanted. How had she stopped them from sensing the truth about her? That deception alone proved she was up to no good.

Slowly, her green eyes focused on him. Confusion set tiny creases between her delicate brows, then surprise chased them away. She slapped a hand over her mouth.

“Aye, be afraid, little thief,” he whispered. “You’ll pay dearly for your deception before I’m done with you.”