1 - Last week, six combatants faced off in an elimination round to see who will be named the Ultimate Vampire by A Piece of My Mind readers.
All fighters are vampires who have inspired me over the years, leading to my own take on the vampire mythos - Saint Sanguinus, which releases next month.
2 - After three vicious sudden-death rounds, the results are in:
Dracula vs Eric Northman
4 votes - 5 votes
Shocking! What an upset. After decimating his previous competitor, Dracula falls to transplanted Viking Eric Northman.
~~~
Bill Compton vs Barnabas Collins
6 votes - 3 votes
After surviving a pitched battle last week to win by only one vote, Bill Compton knocks Barnabas Collins out cold to take this round.
~~~
Spike vs Jerry (Fright Night)
8 votes - 1 vote
Though he won last week's close round by only one vote, this week Jerry is slam-dunk sucker-punched by transplanted Londoner Spike.
~~~
Thanks to all the voters - the sudden-death round brought a few surprises.
This week, our three remaining victors are dropping the gloves.
La-a-adies and gentlemen...
*bell ringing*
In this corner... 
3 - Eric Northman
4 - Approximately 1100 years old.
Viking origin
Was turned after being wounded in battle. After his companions were killed by the vampire who would become his maker, Eric showed no fear to the figure whom he took for an angel of Death.
Rose to become sheriff of Area 5, a vampire domain in Louisiana.
5 - Stats:
Age brings power to vampires. He has been undead for over a millennium.
No longer influenced by human morality. Uses incredible speed and boldness to act decisively. 
6 - Bill Compton
7 - Only 176 years old.
Southern Confederate States farmer and Civil War veteran before being turned.
Rose to become king of Louisiana. Eric Northman is his sheriff.
8 - Stats:
Still young by vampire standards.
Was turned by a vampire posing as a widow who offered him food and shelter on his way home after the war. When offered sexual temptation by the 'widow', Bill remained true to his wife, whom he mourned once he turned.
Closer to his human existence, suffers through moral dilemmas even when serving his vampire society. 
9 - Spike
10 - Approximately 150 years old.
A London society climber and 'bloody awful poet' before he was turned.
Rose to become a Slayer killer.
11 - Stats:
Still young by vampire standards.
Was turned by a female vampire who comforted him after a romantic rejection by an aristocrat.
Replacing his human desire to be a refined gentleman with his vampire punk persona, uses his passionate nature to challenge vampire society.
12 - Voting now closed.
13 - Will it be:
Eric Northman
Bill Compton
Spike
Come back next week to find out who will be The Ultimate Vampire.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Thursday Thirteen - 231 - 13 Ways We're Closer to Finding Out Who is the Ultimate Vampire
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Thursday Thirteen - 230 - 13 Reasons to Vote in A Piece of My Mind's Sudden-Death Round Vampire Smackdown
1 - Last week, twelve combatants faced off in an elimination round to see who will be named the Ultimate Vampire by A Piece of My Mind readers.
All fighters are vampires who have inspired me over the years, leading to my own take on the vampire mythos - Saint Sanguinus, which releases next month.
2 - After six frenzied bouts, the results are in:
Dracula vs Viktor (Underworld)
18 votes - 2 votes
Not even close. "Hail to the king baby!" says Tim Brannan
~~~
Lestat vs Eric Northman
9 votes - 10 votes
Well-matched. This was a close one.
~~~
Jesse Hooker (Near Dark) vs Bill Compton
7 votes - 11 votes
A respectable showing between two former Confederate soldiers.
~~~
Spike vs David (The Lost Boys)
14 votes - 5 votes
A clear winner in the battle between the blonds.
~~~
Angel vs Barnabas Collins
9 votes - 10 votes
Another close match. Ultimately, classic cult gothic soap opera trumped the spin-off of one of the 50-greatest-TV-shows.
~~~
Dean Winchester vs Jerry (Fright Night)
9 votes - 10 votes
The third near-tie match resulted in the Sword of Michael raising the white flag to the vampire who can blow out a flaming cross meant to stop him.
~~~
Thanks to all the voters - that was an awesome elimination round.
La-a-adies and gentlemen...
*bell ringing*
In this corner...
3 - Returning to defend his legendary status - Dracula
versus
4 - Eric Northman, known for ripping hearts right out of his foes' chests and sipping the sweet nectar.
Voting now closed.
~~~
Round 2
5 - Bill Compton, southern farmer who gained a taste for gentlemanly pursuits over the past century. Now the vampire King of Louisiana, he does what a monarch must do in order to rule.
versus
6 - Barnabas Collins, a gentleman of 18th century New England, who guards his dark nature in order to protect the current descendants of his family.
Voting now closed.
~~~
Round 3
7 - Spike, renowned Slayer killer and wielder of scathing sarcasm.
versus
8 - Jerry, unrelenting predator who takes psychopathic delight in his victims' despair.
Voting now closed.
~~~
9 - Once the votes are tallied, three victors will remain from this sudden-death match.
10 - All twelve originally-featured combatants are my personal favorite vampire characters from film and television.
If your favorite vampire didn't compete in the Smackdown, who is your personal favorite vampire?
11 - What makes a perfect vampire for you?
The total package - looks, demeanor and moves?
The history of the character? (backstory)
The modern ways in which the vampire adapts to life now?
The manner in which the vampire feeds?
12 - Do you prefer your vampires to behave as predators at the top of the food chain?
Would you prefer that vampires retain their underlying humanity, carrying an emotional burden with them wherever they go?
13 - Join me next week to see who survives to the final round - and who will take home the coveted title of Ultimate Vampire.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Thursday Thirteen - 229 - 13 Ways to Take it to the Mat - Vampire Smackdown 2011
Welcome to the pre-show of my Resistance is Futile Blog Tour of the Universe. In just over a month, my debut Dark Ages vampire novel Saint Sanguinus will be available for purchase.
Until then, let's find our ringside seats for the ultimate showdown between these fearsome vampires who have inspired me over the years.
Here's how the Smackdown works.
There are six bouts between twelve combatants. PLEASE VOTE on each bout in the comments section.
Come back next week to watch our six victors take on one another in a sudden death match.
*bell ringing*
In this corner...
1 - Dracula
versus
2 - Viktor (Underworld)
Voting is now closed.
~~~
Round 2
3 - Lestat (The Vampire Chronicles)
versus
4 - Eric Northman (True Blood)
Voting is now closed.
~~~
Round 3
5 - Jesse Hooker (Near Dark)
versus
6 - Bill Compton (True Blood)
Voting is now closed.
~~~
Round 4
7 - Spike (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
versus
8 - David (The Lost Boys)
Voting is now closed.
~~~
Round 4
9 - Angel (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
versus
10 - Barnabas Collins (Dark Shadows)
Voting is now closed.
~~~
Round 5
11 - Dean Winchester (for one episode of Supernatural)
versus
12 - Jerry (Fright Night)
Voting is now closed.
~~~
13 - Please join me next week for Vampire Smackdown 2011's qualifying round for the title of Ultimate Vampire.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Through the Opera Glasses - 19 - True Blood Season 2
On Sunday night my husband and I settled in to watch the second season of True Blood, another delicious series from HBO. Here's a trailer for season 2. 
How could I resist a series featuring a melancholy vampire like Bill Compton?
Vampire Bill is an American Civil War vet who has taken up residence in Bon Temps, Louisiana, the setting for Charlaine Harris' series of books on which the series is based.
This is the only kind of TV show that can capture my attention - one with quirky, edgy characters and writing that really pushes the envelope.
Although having uber amazing Viking leader Eric doesn't hurt. 
The blundering bad luck of Jason Stackhouse - as well as his racy sexcapades - are a favorite part of the show for me. 
And I really love supporting character Terry Bellefleur, the post traumatic stress disorder Gulf War vet. He has a scene in season 1 where he sees something while out fishing, and flips into battlefield mode, communicating with military hand signals. I just love that scene. His befuddled civilian persona gives way to the soldier within and I love that glimpse of him. 
Can't get enough of gay cook Lafayette, either. He tells it like it is, girlfriend.
And who can resist the rivalry between Bill and diner/bar owner Sam? Especially since Sam keeps a secret of his own...
Not every character in True Blood is male - just my favorite ones. Except for Sookie Stackhouse herself, the main character for the series.
She's fast becoming one of my favorite female characters ever.
Here's the original trailer for season 1. If you haven't discovered True Blood yet, and if you love vampires, oddball towns and superior writing, give this series a look.
You'll pinch yourself to see if you're dreaming.
Ms Snarky Pants says Alas, we canceled our HBO because we weren't watching it near enough!
Jen says This series is next up on my to-be-read list. My friend just finished the first one and she loved it.
Travis says We were at the bookstore last week and took a look at the novels.
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