Author Denise Verrico Character Interview and $20.00 Amazon Gift Card + Contest LIVE Here!
I’m pleased to be back to Bitten by Books today! Today, I brought my Scottish bad boy, Cedric MacKinnon, with me.
(Enter a six-three, twenty-something, auburn-haired vampire. He’s clad in a long, suede coat, snug pants and thigh-high boots. The impression is space-age pirate or rock-and-roll front man. He assumes his seat like he’s sitting on a throne and flashes an insolent grin that creeps up the left side of his face. His jade-green eyes catch the light like a cat.)
CM: Hello, my loves. Fabulous to be here.
DV: So Cedric, tell your readers a little about yourself–and do try to behave.
CM: My dear, I’m your slave, you know that. I only do what your wicked brain contrives. You dreamed me up.
DV: You burst out of my head like Athena, and I have little control over your escapades. Be a good boy, and maybe I’ll write some steamy new adventures for you.
CM: Promise? I’d like that. So, this is a site for vampire lovers? Well, I’ve come to the right place then. No one is a better vampire lover than me.
DV: No, baby boy, this is a site for those who love vampires.
CM: Brilliant. Either way. And, for the record, I do go either way, boys and girls. I’m an equal opportunity lover.
(Stretches out his long legs and puts his feet up) So, here goes, I was born in Scotland. My parents died when I was little. I grew up in a children’s home and ran away to London when I was fifteen with dreams of becoming a rock star–needless to say, not a great idea. I went on the streets and made my living selling the only thing I could. To make a long story short, rent boys in London have a 33% HIV infection rate, and I became a statistic.
I turned to playing my guitar in the underground to supplement what I got from the government, and one night I encountered this lovely Indian man–or so I thought. Raj made me the man I am today. That is to say, a vampire courtesan turned assassin. Complete sociopath, Raj.
On the bright side, I’m a musician and play the guitar as well as Indian instruments. My prized possession is a vintage Stratocaster. I love all kinds of rock music. My favorite artist of all time is David Bowie. Flashy clothes, fast cars and the latest electronic gadgets are my weakness—and beautiful lovers. I believe in spreading the wealth, so to speak.
DV: How do you feel about your condition?
CM: My condition?
DV: Vampirism.
CM: Ah, the beastie inside me. Well, the immortality part—I mean, who can argue with super strength and looking like this through eternity? The other part—the blood thing–well, I’m no vegetarian, I crave the red stuff all the time. There’s nothing like it—but It’s not fun, this addiction. Not when your food can think and feel. I also miss the sun. Our flesh suffers a horrible necrotizing effect when we are exposed to ultraviolet rays. Mia and Kurt are trying their best to separate this unpleasant side effect from the immortality. We’re fighting for our freedom, both from our masters and the bloodlust.
DV: Talk about your former line of work at the chief elder’s court in India. Your past is rather colorful, darling.
CM: Must I? You just love dredging all that up.
I’m an adept of the ancient arts, which is an Immortyl temple artist in service to the Goddess Kali. However, adepts were exploited as courtesans in political intrigues by the Chief Elder, Kalidasa. It was usually a total drag– except for the singing and dancing. No one does a blues riff on a sitar like me.
Music is my true passion.
My official duty was to serve the Goddess and bestow Shakti’s blessings through an elaborate tantric sex ritual. During my training in the ashram, I told my guru, Sandhya, “I’ve been called many things in my time, but never a conduit of divinity”. She wasn’t amused and hit me on the back of the head with all her rings on. Ouch. Vampires aren’t known for being gentle. Well, maybe those sparkly ones.
I once had an encounter with a bloke who was with the Spanish Inquisition. No Monty Python fun here. Torture isn’t officially allowed on an adept, but with our new Rani, Giulietta, anything goes. The change I’d like to see is Giulietta’s head at the business end of my knife.
To sum up my life at court–too many uncongenial lovers, too many beds, too little rest. Lord Liu was the exception. Liu Li Cheng is a gentleman and knows how to treat a boy right.
DV: And what is it you do now?
CM: Spoilers, love. I never kiss and tell. Mia tells all about my exploits in Servant of the Goddess. Let’s just say that I take heads now instead of give…well you get the drift.
DV: Who trained you in your new occupation?
CM: I had excellent teachers in New York. Mia is quite the swords woman. Philip and Shieh taught me martial arts. My dance training comes in handy here. They call me a living weapon. I rather like that.
DV: I’m not surprised. Do you have a significant other in your life?
CM: With my omnivorous sexual nature it’s rather difficult to settle. I get around– a lot. But there are two lovers who mean something more to me than congenial shags.
My darling Mia is the earthly manifestation of Shakti in the form of Durga, and I’m her “tiger” servant. Grrr…we do get a bit rough sometimes. I do love a strong woman.
However, I must say that Lord Liu remains a powerful presence in my life. You’ve got to love a Chinese warrior from the former Han Dynasty turned scholar turned Immortyl elder. He’s deep. And dare I say sexy?
DV: So, where do you go from here? Any last secrets to reveal?
CM: I won’t tell all. I did that in My Fearful Symmetry. The boys and girls will just have to read my saucy tale and Mia’s new one, Servant of the Goddess. With my new line of work, it’s hard to say where I go from here. I’m on a secret mission at the moment. So, I can’t say exactly what I’m about—or as you Yanks say—what I’m up to. If I survive this mad quest, I hope to continue to aid Mia and Kurt in their revolution.
And you have promised some steamy tales. Of course, I will still be blogging and interviewing at Immortyl Revolution on Saturdays. I can’t disappoint my darlings. Be sure to stop by our blog before the 31st! Ms. Verrico has lots of Halloween posts and giveaways to share.
Well, I suppose if these nice boys and girls leave me a saucy comment or question, I could be persuaded to answer. I’m waiting breathlessly.
DV: Cedric and I are more than pleased to answer your questions today. Don’t forget to enter the contest!
Author Bio:
Ms. Verrico is an Urban Fantasy author and New Jersey native who grew up in Western Pennsylvania. She attended Point Park College and majored in Theatre Arts. For seven seasons, she was a member of the Oberon Theatre Ensemble in NYC. Denise has loved vampire stories since childhood and is a fan of the Dark Shadows television series. Her books are published by L&L Dreamspell Publishing and include: Cara Mia (Book One of the Immortyl Revolution Series), Twilight of the Gods (Book Two of the Immortyl Revolution Series), and My Fearful Symmetry (Book Three of the Immortyl Revolution Series). She currently lives in Ohio with her husband, son, and her flock of seven spoiled parrots.
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Learn more about Denise Verrico here:
Read reviews of the author’s work here.
Cedric blogs at Immortyl Revolution on “Sexy Saturdays with Cedric”. Yes, I did indeed create a monster. He’s a social media aficionado. You can chat any evening with Cedric @cedricMackinnon on Twitter or at his Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/cedricvampire.
My website: http://bit.ly/JhW2sw
Blog: http://www.immortylrevolution.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/KIxyt2
Twitter: http://bit.ly/Mywg8f
My amazon Page: http://amzn.to/K3NhVS
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Love the spelling of “Immorytl”.
Yes, my Immortyls think the word vampire is rather vulgar. They enjoy a special place as the children of Kali Maa.
Hi, everyone! Cedric and I are glad to be here today! We’re happy to answer your questions.
So…this Cedric guy has FB and Twitter pages?
Cedric is quite the social butterfly. I’ll let him answer the question.
CM:Tom, the authoress has her hands full with writing books and all, so I pitch in and help with some of the social media duties. Her generation didn’t grow up with the technology my generation is accumstomed to.
Ah, yes, very true. I am rather computer illiterate myself. Took me a good while just to figure out how to participate in this! So, Cedric…I suppose you have lots of women–human and vam…er, Immortyl–swooning over you?
CM: Women? Oh my dear, you have no idea. Of course, Mia is very special to me–but then again, so is Lord Liu. I’m a very busy lad.
O_o Some guys too, eh? Right then. Ah, I can never keep up with the times. Being so traditional minded…
So, Denise, thought I’d stop by and ask what the difference is between a regular vampire and your immortyls.
Well, Immortyls are mutated by an symbiotic organism. They aren’t undead, but very much alive. Just look at Cedric–he’s quite the randy lad. Of course they can’t reproduce as humans do–yet.
Well, that does sound interesting. So does it still take a stake in the heart to kill one?
Douglas, that would work, but they wouldn’t turn into dust, just bleed to death. A large calibre bullet would work too. The sunlight turns them into vampire soup. The symbiote goes haywire and the flesh starts to decompose.
Hey D
I am very glad w have formed a nice friendship through Facebook. Being an aspiring writer you have given me very useful tips and given me a lot of inspiration as well!!! Thank You and keep up the good work that you are doing with your writing *
Thanks, Vanessa! I always try to help new writers as others have helped me.
Thanks! Vanessa, I appreciate the support! I always try to help out new writers as others have helped me.
Hi, Denise and Cedric. I just wanted to say I very much enjoyed reading about Cedric’s adventures in My Fearful Symmetry and Servant of the Goddess. Good luck to both of you!
Anne Marie, thanks so much. Cedric would like to say hello.
CM: Anne Marie, my love, how nice to see you here! I’m truly humbled by your regard.
What do you do to “color” outside the lines?
Lisa, if you mean how are my books different, I suppose it’s in the world I’ve created. My mythology owes a lot to India, which others have done, but I’ve created a culture where the vampires have their own religious tradition based on Tantra and Shakti worship. The books are thrillers with a series plot that has to do with rival groups of vampires and humans trying to capture the secrets of immortality.
Did you mean something else?
I try to be original in my world building. My mythology is drawn from Indian tantra and Shakti worship.
Planner or pantzer?
DO you follow a “formula” when you write? DO you outline your ideas, write in a specific order
Do you have any unusual or special talents excluding your storytelling abilities?
Lisa, I try to be original in my world building. I draw my mythology from Indian tantra and Shakti (goddess) worship. I’m bits of both plotter and panster. Since I write thrillers, plot is important, but I do like to let the characters take the story over a lot.
Aside from writing, I love to sing. I was an actress for a long time. I do public speaking presentations on mythology for libraries now to combine both of my skills.
Lisa, I’m having a little trouble getting comments to post. I hope this time it works.
I try to be orginal in my world building. My myhtology is drawn from Indian tantra and Shakit or goddess worship. My vampires have a unique culture and religion.
I’m bits of both plotter and pantser, in that I write thrillers, so plot is important, but I always give my characters a lot of room to grow and take charge.
I was an actress for many years and my theatre training has helped me as a writer. Like Cedric, I love to sing! I teach preschool and sing show tunes and Queen songs to my babies. I love to gsrden, cook and play with my pet parrots.
Lisa, I’ve been trying to answer, but I as having some trouble getting the comments to post. So I switched browsers.
I try to be original in my world building. I draw my mythology from Indian tantra and goddess worship. My vampires have a unique culture and religion.
I’m bits of both plotter and pantser. I write thriller, so plot is important, but I like my characters to change things up sometimes.
I was an actress, and my training helps in my writing. Like Cedric, I enjoy singing.
Having a bit of trouble getting comments to post.
OK, trying again.
I try to be original in my world building. I draw my mythology from Indian tantra and goddess worship. My vampires have a unique culture and religion.
I’m bits of both plotter and pantser. I write thriller, so plot is important, but I like my characters to change things up sometimes.
I was an actress, and my training helps in my writing. Like Cedric, I enjoy singing.
Cedric sounds like an interesting character! What was your inspiration for writing him?
Thanks, Lesley! I needed someone within the Immortyl ruling class to observe the impact of Mia and Kurt’s revolution,yet I didn’t want it to be someone in power. Courtesans are figures in historythat can move through the world of the wealthy and powerful and even be used as spies and political operatives. I always like Mary Renault’s novel The Persian Boy about Bogoas, a real-life male courtsean who served Alexander the Great. This gave me the idea to create a character who was a male courtesan.
I wanted someone who could operate withing the ruling vlass, but not be part of it. A courtesan was the perfect solution. Cedric was somewhat inspired by Mary renault’s book The Persian Boy, a novel about Bagoas, a real-life male courtesan who served Alexander the Great.
Ruling class that is. Courtesans were usually intelligent, often had artistic talents and other skills that made them valuable, aside from their beuaty and sexual talents. They were often politically savvy and were used as spies and political operatives.
thanks so muc the the chance, Julie
Thanks! I’m glad to be here.
CM: Ditto, Julie, love!
DV: Now all my answers to comments are posting at once! LOL. Please excuse the typos, I was getting frustrated and typing faster.
CM: Calm down, love, they understand. I must soothe the poor dear when she gets into a tizzy.
Sounds very intriguing (gotta love Scottish men). Cedric, what’s your favorite era of Bowie?
CM: I love them all, but I’m particularly fond of the Ziggy Stardust period.
CM: Yes, we Scottish men are the sexiest.
Which Barnabas actor is your favorite? Me it’s Micheal Nori (I can’t remember how his name is spelled).
The late, great Jonathan Frid–hands down! He was my first vampire. A friend of mine, Nancy Kersey, was Jonathan’s assistant and long-time friend. I had the pleasure of visiting Mr. Frid in his home, back in the eighties. I have a photo he signed for my Mom that is a prized possession, right up there with my autographed photo of Freddie Mercury. Mr. Frid lived on Gramercy Park at the time, and as a little tribute to him, I have Mia residing there for a time in th ebooks. There is a scene in the park in Twilight of the Gods, Book Two.
This character sounds very interesting.
Thanks a lot!
Firstly Flock of seven spoiled parrots. I have to say it sounds like a band name or a very strange version of the 12 Days song!
So now I have to ask, did you get all of the parrots at the same time or was it a one by one gradual addition to the family?
Thanks!
We started with a parakeet, then a cockatiel, then we adopted a Timneh African Grey and a couple more little birds. All are adopted except for one cockatiel named Pippin.
As for Cedric, he certainly is…not shy!
So a question for him, do you get embarassed or have ever get embarassed in the past?
And a question for Denise. Did the characters for this series pop up like they are or did they develop over time?
Okay two questions. How did you decide on such a wide array of locations for the books? And because I always love seeing references from places I know in books, did you reference any places that you lived in the books?
Thanks!
Hi! As to your first comment, lol to that.
As to Cedric, “I don’t know the meaning of the word.”
As to me, the characters evolve over time. They fight for space and want to take the stories in different directions than I originally imagine. I choose locations that have interest for me. I did live in NYC.
hi Denise, thanks for visiting today!!!
Thanks for stopping by, it’s great!
You so had me at Scottish Bad boy. Can he come over here and whisper gaelic to me. WOULD love to hear him say Raonaid in his native language. LOL!
Friend me on Facebook and we’ll chat.
Just did! Raonaid is scots gaelic for my birthname. Always wanted to hear it pronounced by a native
Gotta ask Cedric if he’s a fan of the goth band Inkubus Sukkubus… UK band that sings pagan related songs and vampire songs! I could recommend him some great songs like “Vampyre Erotica” “Take my Hunger”
I prefer Bowie but always like to listen to fresh blood.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMnJGuI3csM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oesz6G2ZEmU
CM: Thanks for sharing!
Ms. Verrico – where at in Ohio? I live along the Ohio / West Virginia boundaries. I was born and raised in Ohio. How is the weather around there? Seen a live feed of Lake Erie’s waves.
I live in Columbus. I have relatives in Gallipolis and like the area around the Ohio River. Very pretty.
Ahhh – Two hours away from me. I’m on the opposite side of Marietta, Ohio – Where they hold the Sternwheeler Festival in September.
A smart aleck with a Scottish brogue (even better in the G
Thanks. I too have a soft spot for men in leather wielding a sword.
Looking forward to reading more about Cedric’s adventures!
Thanks! Cedric’s also in Servant of the Goddess and a collection of short stories Annals of the Immortyls.
Hi there! Boy does this sound good! I’m def going to have to check it out. Are any of your books available in audio? Do you listen to audiobooks?
Unfortunately, none of my books are in audio form yet. I’m trying.
So Cedric, I guess being an Immortyl means you dont ever have to worry about catching any unpleasant creepy crawlies? No diseases or anything or having to worry about an unplanned pregnancy somewhere would be a benefit. Unless you would like to eventually have a wee one?
No diseases for me thanks, that’s right. As far as a wee one, I’m working on it.
Hello Denise and Hello Cedric,
I can’t wait to go ahold of these book. I will add them to my surgical recovery stock piles.
I too <3 David Bowie but have a current issue maybe you could help with, Cedric?
Bowie has so much awesome music out in the world but I have had these two songs STUCK in my head for weeks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvyNOg4jSRg&feature=related
Dance Magic
AND
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRD0ghlFSgk
Golden Years
Any thoughts on removal or replacement?
I have
CM: The Man Who Sold the World: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZM0e1m9T9HQ
If you could go back and rewrite, would you change anything?
I think every author thinks some part could be made better in a rewrite. Tennessee Williams won a Pulitzer Prize for The Glass Menagerie but spent twenty years rewriting it to make it “better.”
Hi Denise.
Do you have a favorite storyworld other than your own?
How do you think your characters would fare if dropped in it?
What is the last thing you did to reward yourself for something?
My favorite fantasy world is Riverside in Ellen Kushner’s book Swordspoint. Mia and Cedric would do just fine there, but Kurt would probably be more at home on the Hill.
I had a bag of peanut m&m’s tonight.
Hi Cedric.
If she fell in with no way out how do you think Denise would fare in your world?
Have you ever wanted to give her an award of some kind?
CM: The authoress is a wee bit squeamish about blood. Also, she’s not much for weapons, believing the pen is mightier than the sword. I’d like to give her an award for giving me such interesting people to shag.
Cedric, I hope you are dry at the Vampire State Building!
Denise, thanks so much for these books! I love your take on vampire culture and the sci-fi aspect of your stories. Do you envision the scope of the storylines becoming more sci-fi going forward? Also, I love how you added. In Chinese and Indian culture and lore. Care to drop any hints as to what other exotic flavors are in store for your readers?
Well, Laura there is some more of the sci fi stuff in the future. As far as exotic locales, I’m working on a Cedric short set in Kolkata and a fantasy novel in an alternate world based a lot on the geography of New Zealand. My most exotic location will be in my new UF novel–rural Ohio.
Rural Ohio, huh? I certainly hope you won’t make the characters wear black socks with sandals and shorts! XD
Are you planning more full length novels in the Immortyls series?
New Zealand sounds intriguing! Can we have more hints about that one? Pleeeease?
Laura, no black socks and sandals, but badass angels and elves. Taking a little break from Immortyl Revolution to gear up for the new part of the saga. The fantasy novel is set in an 18th century technology, so a little clockwork and steam, and lots of elemental magic and witty repartee. Picaresque. No vampires in that one.
Looooooove steampunk! Can’t wait to see that book!
Just a wee bit, as Cedric would say.
CM: On a mission, so I’m not in NYC tonight. Can’t reveal my location.
I gotta ask about the parrots- can you give a little glimpse into what caring for them is like?
Parrots are amazing creatures, highly intelligent and social. They love attention like dogs, yet also like their own space. They can be very noisy, but often hilarious–like little kids. Grey parrots have the intelligence of a five-year-old child. They will bond with you (or a member of the family) for life.
You said that your Immortyl’s have a symbiotic organism, is it earth based? What are all the effects that it has one them, besides the sunlight bad and drinking blood?
The symbiote’s origin hasn’t yet been discovered in the books. To say would be a spoiler for future novels. The symbiote tinkers with DNA. It makes the cells reproduce perfect copies forever, so there is no aging. It strengthens the immune system. Wounds heal faster, but not instantly. The muscles become stronger. The reproductive system no longer is fertile. Immortyls run faster, hear better and have a better sense of smell than normal humans. Immortyls emit a pheromone that entices humans and other Immortyls.
Loved the interview, Denise! You’re a new author to me and this series sounds awesome…definitely must reads! How many books do you have planned for this series?
Maybe 3. It depends on how many books it takes to tell Cedric’s exploits in the impending war, and then the final book that focuses on Luka, a character introduced in Book Four.
Great post!! Thanks for sharing today!
What books are currently on your nightstand?
Imager by L. E. Modisett
I have to say I love creating new characters and writing about the weird stuff, like the tantric rituals Cedric learned.
When writing what is your favorite part of the story?
I Do Love a sassy sexy Vampire will have to check this series out!thanks for the interview always love finding new books to read!
Thanks, Stacey. Cedric is flattered.
What was your favorite childhood book/series?
My favorite book from childhood is Island of the Blue Dolphins.
Have you ever written fan fiction? For what fandom?
I’ve never written fan fiction.
If your mind were a house, what would it look like inside?
I think it would be like an old sea captain’s house, with treasures and artifacts of far away places and exotic locales cramming every shelf and hanging on every wall. This would be a lively house, where friends and family have a special place, where children and animals would run freely, full of aromas of good food and the sound of music and witty conversation.
I’m about to sign off and go to work, but I want to thank everyone who stopped by to read the interview, comment and enter the drawing. I always enjoy talking with readers and writers! A special thanks to Rachel Smith and Bitten By Books for their hospitality and putting together this wonderful event! I’ll be live at Edin Road Radio tonight, doing a reading. Please join us there.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/edinroad/2012/10/30/halloween-spooktacular–paranormal-author-denise-verrico
I love vampire stories and these sound amazing. I’m definitely going to have to read them.
Thanks, Jesse!
Awesome line “You burst out of my head like Athena”!! Loved it!
He certainly has a mind of his own.
Between the initial description and his use of the phrase “as you Yanks say” I need to know more about this character, I can’t even describe his voice/personality. What was your process like for creating him?
Great question! Cedric is a young Scotsman, who lived on the streets of London from ages 15-18. He’s a musician, dancer and former courtesan, so he’s not shy. He has a beautiful tenor voice that will bring tears to your eyes. He’s a bit vain of his looks and talent, but he’s not just a pretty face. Cedric is smart and well-read. He’s compassionate to others and intensely loyal to those he befriends. But he has a dark side. He’s been hurt and abused. You don’t want to get on his bad side.
My background is in acting. I love creating characters. The shell comes to me first, the look, the voice and so on, then I create a detailed bio with ethnicity, family, likes, dislikes, deeply-held beliefs etc.
CM: