Interview with Colleen Gleason and Giveaway - May 25, 2011

Please welcome Colleen Gleason to The Qwillery.

TQ:  Describe The Regency Draculia series in 140 characters or less.

Colleen:  J.R. Ward meets Jane Austen.

TQ:  What inspired you to write The Regency Draculia series?

Colleen:  I’d written the well-received Gardella Vampire Chronicles, which is an historical urban fantasy series about a female vampire slayer who lives during the time of Jane Austen…and my publisher came to me and suggested that I take that time period and write a Regency romance series with vampires.

How could one resist, pairing up two of the most beloved subgenres of romance? Of course I jumped on the chance!

TQ:  What are the major differences between The Regency Draculia series and The Gardella Vampire Chronicles.

Colleen:  Because the Gardellas are really more urban fantasy than romance (it’s one main heroine character whose love relationships evolve over the five books), and the Regency Draculia are definitely romance novels, I had to think about the world and the characters differently. And so, although the two series are set within ten years of each other, in London (mainly), the “world” of the vampires had to be different.

So, in the Gardellas, the vampires are all evil half-demons, descended from Judas Iscariot. They aren’t redeemable. In the Gardellas, there’s no happy ending until the fifth and final book. And we watch Victoria Gardella’s character growth over the entire series.

In the Regency Draculia, each book focuses on a particular hero and heroine. The heroes are generally vampires (though not always), and these vampires are descended from Vlad Tepes, Count Dracula, who made a bargain with the devil that includes his progeny.

There are good vampires and bad vampires in the Regency Draculia series, unlike the Gardellas. The former are more romantic, sexier, and focus on the relationship between the hero and heroine, while the Gardellas are more action-oriented with less sex.

TQ:  What sort of research did you do for The Regency Draculia series? Did anything you found surprise you?

Colleen:  I had to research the Reign of Terror in Paris for one of the books, which was something I hadn’t had need to do before. But other than that, I didn’t do a lot of new research because of the similarity in time periods between the Gardellas and the Draculia.

TQ:  Who was your favorite character(s) to write in The Regency Draculia series and why? Hardest and why?

Colleen:  I loved writing Maia because I can so relate to her. She’s a control freak, overly responsible and a vigilant pedant—and there are many similarities between us. I also had fun writing her from her younger sister’s point of view—which is how we first meet her—and portraying her in that way.

The hardest character for me to write was probably Cezar Moldavi. I think it’s important for a villain, especially one like Cezar—who appears in all three books (at least peripherally)—to be many faceted. Someone very wise once said that the villain is the hero of his own story, and therefore I believe that there are parts of him that must be empathetic and interesting even to us.

TQ:  Without giving anything away, what are some of your favorite scene or scenes in The Vampire Narcise, the 3rd book in the series?

Colleen:  The very last scene in Part I of Narcise I had in my head from the inception of the entire series, so that one is probably one of my favorites. Even now when I read it, I get the goosebumps.

I also really enjoyed writing the scenes with Narcise and Chas at Rubey’s, when they are planning to go to Paris.

TQ:  How many books are planned for The Regency Draculia series?

Colleen:  I’m hoping to write the next three, which will be Sonia Woodmore’s story, Mirabella’s story (Dimitri’s so-called sister), and a third one that I can’t mention because it would be a spoiler. ;-)

TQ:  What's next?

Colleen:  I’m currently working on an unrelated book to the Draculia called Amazon Roulette, which is a follow-up to my action adventure novel, Siberian Treasure. Siberian Treasure has been very well-received and I’ve gotten many emails from people who say it’s their favorite book by me (who’d’ve thunk?), and so a sequel makes sense while I take a break from writing historical vampires.

I’m also considering doing another set in the Gardella Vampire Chronicles, but with a different female vampire hunter, set in a different time period.

TQ:  Thank you for joining us at The Qwillery.

Colleen:  Thank you so much for having me!


About The Regency Draculia

The Vampire Voss
The Regency Draculia 1
(March 22, 2011)
Voss, also known as Viscount Dewhurst, relishes the sensual pleasures immortality affords. A member of the Dracule—a cabal of powerful, secretive noblemen marked with a talisman that reveals their bartered souls—the mercenary Voss has remained carefully neutral…until Angelica.

Angelica Woodmore possesses the Sight, an ability invaluable to both sides of a looming war among the Dracule. Her very scent envelops Voss in a scarlet fog of hunger—for her body and her blood. But he is utterly unprepared for the new desire that overcomes him—to protect her.

Now Voss must battle his very nature to be with Angelica…but this vampire never backs down from a fight.




The Vampire Dimitri
Regency Draculia 2
(April 19, 2011)

Dimitri, also known as the Earl of Corvindale, should be delighted that the headstrong Maia Woodmore is getting married. His mortal ward and houseguest has annoyed—and bewitched—the Dracule
 
Miss Woodmore's family has a rather…complicated history with the immortals and she herself possesses a keen sensibility far beyond mere women's intuition. Marriage will give her safety, respectability and everything else a proper young lady could wish for. Everything, that is, except passion.
 
In the looming battle between Dracule factions, all pretenses will shatter as Maia and Dimitri come together in an unholy union of danger, desperation and fiercest desire.





The Vampire Narcise
Regency Draculia 3
(May 24, 2011)

Skilled in the seduction of men, both mortal and immortal, Narcise Moldavi is the greatest weapon in her twisted brother's war among the Dracule. Until she falls for Giordan Cale.

Her first searing encounter with Giordan seals their fierce connection for their eternal lives. But Giordan's vow to help Narcise escape her brother's rule is followed by a betrayal more agonizing than sunlight.

Wounded but determined, Narcise ensnares vampire hunter Chas Woodmore in her quest for revenge and to reclaim her life. He wants her, worships her, will kill for her. And the Dracule never forget a wrong— nor do they forgive.



 
 
Colleen has also written The Gardella Vampire Chronicles: The Rest Falls Away, Rises the Night, The Bleeding Dusk, When Twilight Burns, and As Shadows Fade.


Colleen's Links

Website
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The Giveaway

THE RULES

What:  One commenter will win a copy of one of The Regency Draculia novels - winner's choice.

How:  Leave a comment answering the following question:

In what era would you like to see a vampire romance set?

Please remember - if you don't answer the question your entry will not be counted.

You may receive additional entries by:

1) Being a Follower of The Qwillery.

2) Mentioning the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter. Even if you mention the giveaway on both, you will get only one additional entry. You get only one additional entry even if you mention the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter multiple times.

3) Mentioning the giveaway on your on blog or website. It must be your own blog or website; not a website that belongs to someone else or a site where giveaways, contests, etc. are posted.

There are a total of 4 entries you may receive: Comment (1 entry), Follower (+1 entry), Facebook and/or Twitter (+ 1 entry), and personal blog/website mention (+1 entry). This is subject to change again in the future for future giveaways.

Please leave links for Facebook, Twitter, or blog/website mentions. In addition please leave a way to contact you.

Who and When: The contest is open to all humans on the planet earth with a mailing address. Contest ends at 11:59pm US Eastern Time on Wednesday, June 1, 2011. Void where prohibited by law.

*Giveaway rules are subject to change.*