Release Announcement: Chelsea Quinn Yarbro's novels available through E-Reads.

Author Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, whom some of you may remember we had the pleasure of hosting last December '09 with a guest post while on blog tour for Burning Shadows, has had two of her novels released in both electronic format and print-on-demand trade paperback editions by E-Reads.

The novels are THE PALACE,  the second novel in Yarbro's historical horror series featuring the vampire Count Saint-Germain, and TO THE HIGH REDOUBT, an epic fantasy novel. 

According to the press release, THE PALACE, (originally released in 1978) set in "Renaissance Florence, provides the background for the story of the collapse of the artistic and literary life of the city after the death of Saint-Germain’s friend Lorenzo the Magnificent, followed by the rise of the fanatical Savonarola."

Likewise, E-Reads will release Yarbro's HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA --- which introduced readers to Saint-Germain in 1978 --- later this year.

In the coming week/s Vampirephile will yet again have the pleasure of hosting Chelsea with another guest blog post and a possible interview. 

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Succub...? Well, hello 'Lost Girl' : A Series Debut Review.

   
**Caution, may contain spoilers if you have not seen the episode yet!**

"You can control people by touch... And not in a creepy, hand job sorta way." - Kenzi to Bo (Lost Girl, S1 E1)


So last Sunday night (Sept. 12th), I passed on watching the season 3 finale of True Blood!

Why?

Because there is this new Canadian show I had been reading/seeing/hearing some buzz about and I wanted to tune in to its series debut episode. The show in question was/is Showcase's Lost Girl which some of you may remember I'd mentioned about three posts ago?

I felt it was a "not to be missed" debut, and besides, I knew I could see the True Blood season 3 finale in a repeat episode (which, btw, now that I've seen it, I was not very impressed with the ending of. It was basically a non-ending. But I digress...)

Well anyway, I'm very glad that I had decided to catch the series premiere / pilot episode of Lost Girl, 'cause it was pretty damn good, in my opinion (I even went to work the next day and recommended it to a few of my genre loving colleagues).

And according to the statistics on TV, eh?, over 400,000 in Canada tuned in to its premiere, and I can count myself among them.

I'm generally a genre loving fan, esp. of most things Horror-Fantasy, Sci-fi and Supernatural. I consider myself as a die-hard, albeit not overly hardcore (No tats of my fave characters. No RPGing or LARPing) and I know what I like. 
And when I like something I talk about it (off and/or on line> as I recently did about this self same show, with sisters Suzie and Shannon from Hexed: Sisterhood of the Supernatural on their FaceBook Page.) and I'm definitely liking the potential I'm seeing in Lost Girl. (Note: Suzie and Shannon also discuss Lost Girl beginning on section 1:25:45 of their recent podcast.)

Season 1 episode 1 titled "It's a Fae, Fae, Fae, Fae World" had a nice balance of action, drama, intrigue and story introduction and development; with some nice, sassy dialogue and witty, memorable one liners (and we all know how much of a sucker I am for witty dialogue. Can you say Blood Ties anyone? :) 

"It's like the 4th of July in my mouth!" - as said by Bo after she engages in a kiss with Dyson... and Mais Oui! I tell ya, that was indeed some HOT kiss between Bo (Anna Silk) and Dyson (Kris Holden-Reid).
I was like "Wow!" First episode and already some fierce tonsil hockey!? LoL! (albeit she was intentionally sucking some of the lifeforce out of him, as per his offering, but that just added to the "Wow!" "Hot!" factor).

I have to say here that I'm already liking the chemistry between Bo & Dyson. That scene where they both made eye contact while passing each other on the street, was intense and truly believable. And already we can see that sort of back/forth, love/hate dynamic between them (kinda like a Lois and Clark... Bo's sass and fiesty personality certainly reminds me of Erica Durance's Lois Lane on Smallville, but Dyson seems to be more than a "goody gumshoe" even for a "Light" Fae.)

And speaking (still) of Dyson (insert Soni's usual segue loving self here :) ... I couldn't not mention some cool coincidences I came upon while doing my research, regarding actor Kris Holden-Reid (who somewhat resembles another "Chris", i.e. Martin of ColdPlay) and Lost Girl in general. 

Apart from the fact that Holden-Reid had attended my alma mater University here in Montreal some time back, he also played "William Compton" on The Tudors. Of course "William Compton" is also the proper name of vampire Bill Compton on HBO's True Blood. Furthermore, The Tudors, revolves around the life of King Henry VIII. King Henry VIII was the father of Henry Fitzroy (can you see where I'm going? :) Of course, the historical persona of Henry Fitzroy was used by Canadian author Tanya Huff as a vampire in her Blood Books, which were used as the basis for the tv series Blood Ties, which was created by none other than Peter Mohan who is also one of the executive producers of Lost Girl... And/End segue scene :)


Ultimately, from what I can see, the premiere episode of Lost Girl has setup, what could no doubt be an intriguing storyline over the course of the season. As a viewer, my mind is already wondering with loads of questions, esp. as with regards to 'Bo', a succubus living among humans (although initially, she didn't know what she was ). 

Where did she come from? Who is she really? How is it that Fae live among humans? What other kinds of fae are there? How extremely do the "Light" Fae differ from the "Dark"? And why must Bo choose a side? What is Trick (as played by Rick Howland)'s secret and why is he having fellow fae Dyson observe her? And of course, how far will Bo go to find out "where or from whom she came"?

Cinematographically, I'm also liking the warm tones and deep hues in some of the scenes (my photographers' eye generally "lights" upon things like that.)

So now, as I have been pleasantly "sucked in" and "seduced" by the potential in the first episode. Here's hoping it will continue to improve. I will certainly be tuning in again tomorrow and every Sunday at 9pm on Showcase to find, Lost Girl!

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New Release Announcement: Dusk Comics Launches Two New Books

David Doub, author of Dusk Volume 1 (as seen at right) has now released the second installement in the series, as well as new title. Read more below:

Dusk Comics Launches Two New Books

The Graphic Novels Dusk Volume 2 and Miss Masque are now available for purchase.


Dusk Volume 2

Eve is still in a trap of her own devising. She tries to find her place in a horrid supernatural world that does not want her. She thinks she loves a vampire and is definitely addicted to the power of his blood. She encounters everything from Zombies to Demons and the morality of her life is always murky at best.
Dusk continues to explore the dark recesses of the Vampire mythos, mining out a hauntingly entertaining read. Come join in Eve's continuing journey of damnation and possible redemption.

150 Pages

10 Dollars
ISBN-10: 0982920512
ISBN-13: 978-0982920510

Available on> Amazon.



Mystery Masque Comics

The Golden Age Heroine Miss Masque is finally in her own full length Graphic Novel. Since her inception in Nedor Comics' Exciting Comics #51 (September 1946), Miss Masque has been worked on by comic greats from Alan Moore to Alex Ross. Now the amazing team, of David Doub, Jerry Gonzales, and Jaymes Reed have updated Miss Masque for modern times.
Diana Adams, is a woman addicted to excitement. She'll do almost anything to get that adrenaline fix. So when her friend and coworker runs afoul of organized crime, Diana Adams seizes the opportunity. Using the guise of a crime fighter, Diana is able to morally justify her new way to get her kicks.

100 Pages

10 Dollars
ISBN-10: 0982920504
ISBN-13: 978-0982920503

Available on> Amazon.

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"Kat Scratch Fever" Review: Vampire Diaries Season 2 debut: The Return

     **Caution, may contain spoilers if you’ve not seen the episodes yet!**

"What Happened?" / "Katherine Happened!".

Well last night we saw the highly anticipated debut of The Vampire Diaries Season 2, aptly titled The Return and OMD! (Oh My Damon!) what a RETURN it was!

Picking up exactly where season 1 had left off, with Elena returning home to the ominous threat of the fierce, Katherine Pierce having been, "invited in" her home, with the only option, as Damon quite wittingly pointed out, being: "Move!"

This Return episode was, in my opinion, chocked full of:
 
Shock - with what Damon did to Jeremy           and       
Awe - the glimpse of Stefan's potential "badassness"      and
Touching Honesty - Elena's heartfelt revelation to and observation of Damon : "I care for you!" (her revelation) / "You care" (her observation).

And not to (forget to) mention heart break - when Katerine, all but drove a stake through Damon with her revelation that "it has always been Stefan"... and it didn't help that Elena, her "dead ringer", practically told him the same thing in a later scene.
It's like I said in the past, in one of my previous posts > Sympathy for The D-Man: Damon Salvatore, it's no wonder Damon has trust issues.

Ultimately, The Return episode saw Katherine leaving her scratches on just about everyone, most notably Damon, which in turn drove the episode onward at a fever pace.

And as usual with TVD, just when you thought it couldn't get any better... the end is only the beginning, as the final scene proved... Oh, sweet Caroline-a!

Here's a preview of next weeks episode!

Ready to take a bite, back into Fall: True Blood, Lost Girl, Three Inches/ Kyle Schmid, Vampire Diaries, etc

Well dear readers, I'm officially back from my Vampire(less) Vacation ready to bite (back) into a fang-tastic Fall. 

To the extent that I have added a new profile picture of yours truly all "vamped" out (well somewhat), sporting my Blood Ties vampire Henry Fitzroy tee from Cafe Press, reading Gabrielle Faust's Eternal Vigilance Book 1, while wearing my Lost Boys handmade bottlecap necklace by Holly Sparks . There was also my True Blood mug which I had forgotten to include in the pic at the time of taking, but nonetheless, I photoshoped it in, LoL! ;)

So, although my vacances (as they say en français) was supposed to be vampireless, it wasn't, at least not entirely. 

I still made sure to tune into True Blood - can you say helluva good season or what? Give or take a few unnecessary story lines, like that of Lafayette. I mean I like him as a character and all, but seriously, where is his and Jesus' storyline going to? 
Regardless though, I still think Alan Ball is a genuis in the way he has carved out his niche, making True Blood an original, stand alone show, to that of the books on which it is based.  

My only hope though, is that for season 4, with whatever changes he continues to make, that Alan Ball at least sticks to the Eric/Sookie saga that makes up book 4 Dead to the World. 
Mr. Ball I beg of you :)


Still on True Blood, of course by now, everyone and their vampire (or Alexander Skarsgard ;) loving mother, have probably already seen the (now infamous?) Rolling Stone cover of Alex/Eric, Anna/Sookie and Stephen/Bill. 

Well although I was in a part of the world where I couldn't readily put my hands on the mag, thank goodness for good friends. My best friend (who is probably reading this post and smiling :) was able to secure me a copy for my collection. I'm hoping/assuming that she may have secured one for herself as well as I know she, like me, is an everloving Eric/Alex fan ;o)


And with True Blood's season 3 finale set for next Sunday 12th of September, that Rolling Stone mag may be all that we have to tide us over 'til season 4 debuts next Spring/Summer 2011 (most likley, as per usual in June).

But whereas I remembered to tune into one vampire tv show, I forgot to tune in another vampire... (werewolf, witch, succubus) show, ABC's The Gates . But from what I've been reading, it's probably on its way to being cancelled, if it hasn't been already (though there has been no "official" word as yet).


I tried. I really did try to give this show a chance, but it was just so... bloodless and lackluster (worse than a hungry, pasty skinned vampire). 

And speaking of succubus, set to debut next Sunday, September 12th is a new show on Canada's ShowCase channel called Lost Girl. From the promo trailer <(seen here and included at the bottom of this post), this show looks hot/cool. With lots of action and an intriging storyline, I will definitely be tuning in. And what's more, Peter Mohan who brought us Blood Ties is an executive producer on Lost Girl (along with Prodigy Pictures' Jay Firestone).


And speaking of Blood Ties (yes, I do love a good segue :o). 
More vampire type news broke while I was away on vacay. This one involving a vampire three way (sort of). 


Our, as in my and fans of his, favourite (former vampire) actor Kyle Schmid (he played vampire Henry Fitzroy in Blood Ties) announced about 2 weeks ago, via his FaceBook page that he was set to star in a new pilot on the SyFy channel called Three Inches , cast as Brandon (aka: Captain Normal). And get this, Kyle will be alongside another favourite (former vampire) James Marsters (Spike from Buffy The Vampire Slayer.)


Yes my dear fang fans, vampire Henry Fitzroy (or "Captain Fantastic" as he was once called  by his Blood Ties co-star Christina Cox) and vampire Spike (aka: "William the Bloody", aka: "Captain Peroxide") will both be gracing our screens in one show, albeit not as vampires this time, but as "semi" or "not so super" heroes. 


As a fan of both of these actors, needless to say, I'm looking forward to seeing this show. 


And to complete the vampire three way (sort of). James Marsters will be a guest star on the premiere episode of the re-imagined Hawaii Five-0, which is headed by, you guessed it, another former vampire, this being MoonLight's Mick St. John himself, Alex O'Loughlin. Hawaii Five-0 is set to debut on September 20th, 2010.


So here, three cheers to having three of y/our favourite former vampires on the small screen again.

Of course this Fall, another of our current favourite vampire shows is set to return as well. Come this week, Thursday, September 9th, The Vampires Diaries will be back for its second season on the CW (US) and CTV (Canada) - note TVD airs at 8pm eastern in the USA, but 7pm eastern in Canada. Yes we lucky Canucks get to see it one hour beforehand (is it because the lead Nina Dobrev who plays Elena is Canadian?)


As well Supernatural - (we know they always have a vampire or two in there somewhere, so they more than deserve a mention) - it returns on Friday, September 24th, at 9pm (lead in by Smallville at 8pm). 
Yes, unfortunately the bothers Winchester have been bumped from Thursday nights by a new show, Nikita, set to debut on the CW.

More news on the vamp-tastic front. Canada's Space Channel (where on we get our daily dose of all/most things Sci-fi, Fantasy and Horror) have begun airing the BBC's Being Human series. They aired the first season in its entirety one week towards the end of August. And subsequently will be re-airing these season 1 episodes beginning Thursday September 16th at 10pm. They plan to air season 2 of Being Human, on Thursday October 28th, 10pm eastern.

And speaking of Being Human. The aforementioned SyFy Channel is doing their own, North Americanized version of the UK cult hit. And guess what? Said version is being shot right here in Montréal. 

Back at the beginning of August and on different occasions, I was fortunate enough to stumble upon two of the filming locations, albeit I did not know for what series at the time. However, upon research, I had soon discovered that it was indeed for this SyFy remake. (Here's a listing of films which have been shot in/around Montréal )


This re-imagined series will star a few familiar faces. Notably Sam Witwer (who played Davis Bloome / Doomsday on Smallville), Mark Pellegrino (last seen on Supernatural and on Lost respectively) and Meaghan Rath, a Montreal actress, whom I recall fondly from the series 15/Love with Laurence Leboeuf who currently stars in the local Quebecois series Trauma, the set of which, again I stumbled upon just this past Friday while in the Old Port area.

In vampire music related news now. If you're in Montréal this coming Wednesday, 8th of September you can catch New York indie rock band Vampire Weekend performing at Métropolis.  


And last but not least, I recently answered a few interview questions about Blogging via WhoHub. My responses can be read> here.  

From a Vampire Weekend... to a Vampire(less) Vacation!

Well, just last week, my best friend and I had, literally, a fang-tastic weekend, where in we stayed up late, pulling all nighters (or close to "dawners") and had our share of vampire related fare such as season 1 and 2 of True Blood, season 1 and 2 of Blood Ties... and even some aliens thrown in à la the Roswell tv series from 1999. We even had Vampire Gourmet coffee to wake us up. It was truly a fun time.

Now, this weekend, yours truely, will be off to a warmer clime for about 2 weeks or more on a Vampire-less Vacation, because, well, let's face it, ain't no way a real vampire will survive in the heat and sun, farless closer to the equator... (unless of course they're Twilight vampires, then they'd just "sparkle" us mortals to death, LoL!) 

So I'll see you all back here some time in the Fall/September, with my usual occasional vampire related posts, be it a book review or two (a few of which I'm taking on holiday), movie reviews (when I return I have to go see Vampires Suck... It's looks absolutely hilarious) and general observations, postings and vampire files! :[

Have a fang-tastic rest of the summer everyone, and see you all again... on the dark side of the sun! ;)

Vampire Henry Fitzroy's re-Birth-day... & actor Kyle Schmid's Birthday.

 
So today, Friday July 23rd, is somewhat of an auspicious day for those of us who are vampire fans. And more so, for those of us who are fans of a specific, Royal, blue blooded (albeit bastard) vampire Prince.

And whom might that vamp, du (ce) jour, be?

It's none other than vampire Henry Fitzroy.

Today marks the day when, thanks to the creative genius of author Tanya Huff, the real life persona of Henry Fitzroy, bastard son of King Henry VIII and 1st Duke of Richmond and Somerset, died, but was re-born into the world of Huff's Blood Books as, vampire.


Today is also the day when, in the zodiac, the sun enters Leo and will remain there until August 22nd. Leo is represented by the symbol of the proud lion, which in essence, it (the lion) is also a royal symbol. Noted among the traits of a Leo personality are: Loyalty, self-confidence, charisma.

And speaking of Leo's and vampires (and don't you just love a good segue? :)  

The actor who embodied and breath life into the aforementioned vampire Henry Fitzroy on tv's Blood Ties also celebrates his own birthday under the zodiac sign of the Lion.

Yes Kyle Schmid is, as vampire Henry Fitzroy was, a Leo (albeit of the other month).  




Kyle will be celebrating his birthday coming up on August 3rd and in anticipation of this, an e-card was put together for him, for his fans to sign and leave messages.
Said card can be signed> here.






His Blood Ties co-star, actress Christina Cox also celebrates her birthday under the sign of Leo. This "lioness" celebrates this month, on July 31st, and an e-card has also been created for her fans to leave messages for her. Her card can be signed> here.

Movie Review: The Sorcerer's Apprentice

So, once again, I interrupt the usual "vampire themed" posts of this blog to bring you a general movie review. Albeit, the film is of the fantasy genre (with some aspects of mild horror) and one of the two lead actors did play in vampire back in 1988 (so you see, in a way, it's still "all connected" :)

So what film am I talking about? 

What film, filled with fantasy, magic AND physics, mild horror, adventure, humour, great action and special effects and an actor who once played a vampire in 1988  (the film in question being The Vampire's Kiss)?

Why it's Disney's The Sorcerer's Apprentice of course. Starring Nicolas Cage and hometown (Montreal/Canadian) boy Jay Baruchel.

The Sorcercer's Apprentice made its Canadian debut, as the opening film feature at the commencement of the 14th edition of the Montreal Fantasia Film Festival, hosted, as it has been for the past several years by my alma mater (and present place of employ) Concordia University.

In one of the venue's largest theaters, 700 of us (or more if you include the actor Jay Baruchel and the Disney representatives who were present) were treated to the screening of said film, in advance of its opening next Wednesday, July 14th (date on above poster is incorrect).

And what a treat it was.

After the general Festival opening announcements, Baruchel, in a state of, what can only be described as "giddy, geeky, glee" introduced the film to the happy hometown audience. Then we sat back and allowed the magic to unfold.

Without giving too much (or anything) away, I can safely say that The Sorcercer's Apprentice was indeed an enjoyable film. 

Nic Cage made good as the "just a bit" crazy master sorcerer Balthazar Blake, on the quest to find the one who could be the next  to acquire Merlin's magic and defeat the evil Morgana.

And Jay Baruchel proved to be well cast as the nerdy, endearing, reluctant hero / apprentice.

With a nice, balanced blend of action, adventure and pretty cool special effects. The film takes the viewer on a fun ride, reminiscent of classic Disney / Bruckheimer fare. And it'd also no doubt leave you laughing out loud at some unexpected moments in dialogue.

If you enjoyed The National Treasure movies, then you will certainly enjoy The Sorcerer's Apprentice.


I've to give Special Thanks to Cindy Canavan (Manager of the University's IITS Cinemas team). As well as to the Disney Reps whom I'd had the pleasure of meeting.