Get into Bed with Elisabeth Staab (Author Interview)

Keira: A vampire without power? Tell us more!

Elisabeth Staab: In King of Darkness and in the Yavn series as a whole, you have a vampire race that has evolved with supernatural abilities. Those abilities were seen over time as something of a status symbol even though in modern-day society, living among humans, many vampires may not really need or use their powers. Like other physical traits, sometimes something goes wonky in the genetic code and for a few vampires of the species a power never develops. In the case of Isabel, the queen in King of Darkness, neither of her parents had a power—and neither did she—until she met Thad.

Keira: How does a vampire pass as human? Can it be done successfully?

Elisabeth: In Isabel’s case it was pretty easy to do. For one thing, she had an ally. Her friend Alexia was human and knew that Isabel was vampire, so acted protectively and helped look out for her. Also, part of the reason that Isabel had stayed enmeshed in the rave scene was not so much immaturity as self-preservation. She had discovered a place with dark corners, high human turnover, and nobody was going to pay close attention to her.

Keira: In 10 words or less describe the King of Vampires…

Elisabeth: Thad struggles to become a leader during war and uncertainty.

Keira: Fated mates – why do they work? How do you create tension with it?

Elisabeth: The thing about fated mates is the idea that there is one true love out there for us is such a beautiful and romantic fantasy. There is always free will though, and that is how you have tension. When Thad finds Isabel, the first thing she does is turn and run away. She isn’t impressed by the fact that he’s king. She doesn’t believe in the prophecy that says she’s his mate.

Keira: How do you define love?

Elisabeth: I think deep, abiding affection of any kind can be love. If I can’t imagine my world without someone, that’s love. Now for two vampires who are committing to each other for the next several centuries there must also be heat, and passion, and they probably also have to like the taste of each other’s blood.

Keira: On your blog Rated 'R' for Risqué you have a section called How to Get Published - what’s your best piece of advice?

Elisabeth: I think the basics are to keep learning, and write every day. Or write as much as you can, if daily isn’t doable. I have 3 kids so even for me sometimes illnesses and whatnot make doing it daily an impossible task. Taking classes through the RWA or SavvyAuthors.com when I can has helped open me up to the VAST amount of “stuff I did not know,” and I applied that information to whatever I was working on at the time. Positive outlook is the other key. It’s tough sometimes, but always treat writing like a job if you truly want it to be one. You’re really working, you’re pre-published or a debut author, and you’re gonna get there if you keep at it. Attitude really does make a difference.

About King of Darkness:

ETERNAL COMMITMENT IS NOT ON HER AGENDA...

Scorned by the vampire community for her lack of power, Isabel Anthony lives a carefree existence masquerading as human--although drifting through the debauched human nightlife, she prefers the patrons' blood to other indulgences. But when she meets the sexy, arrogant king of the vampires, this party-girl's life turns dark and dangerous.

BUT TIME'S RUNNING OUT FOR THE KING OF THE VAMPIRES...

Dead-set on finding the prophesied mate who will unlock his fiery powers, Thad Morgan must find his queen before their race is destroyed. Their enemies are gaining ground, and Thad needs his powers to unite his subjects. But when his search leads him to the defiant Isabel, he wonders if fate had gotten it seriously wrong...

Buy: King of Darkness

 Author Bio: Elisabeth Staab lives in Northern Virginia with her hero and soul mate. She has been a telemarketer, a web page editor, a software developer, a reader for the blind, a technical trainer, a coffee shop barista, a tutor, a homemaker, a government project manager, a graphic designer, and a professional ebayer. Finally, she's landed on being a writer - which is what her high school guidance counselor originally suggested anyway.

Elisabeth believes that all kinds of safe, sane, and consensual love should be celebrated--but she loves the fantasy-filled realm of paranormal romance the best. Find out more at ElisabethStaab.com.