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[From VBC: We’re very excited to have Jeaniene Frost on the blog again today. And we’re so anxious for Once Burned, her spinoff book featuring Vlad. It comes out in June and at the end of this post there’s a chance to win advanced copies. With that, we turn it over to Jeaniene.]
I’m fresh off a superhero high after seeing The Avengers this weekend, but aside from my new found love for The Hulk, the movie also got me thinking about the attributes of larger-than-life heroes and heroines. If you haven’t seen The Avengers yet, I’ll describe the members of the team. There’s Ironman, a “genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist” named Tony Stark who fights evil while wearing an incredibly high-tech suit; Thor, demi-god of the planet Asgard, whose hammer-wielding badassery is only eclipsed by his mighty biceps; Steve Rogers’ Captain America, a formerly brave yet scrawny man who was transformed into a superhuman through breakthrough genetic tampering; The Hulk, whose non-mean-green-and-ready-to-ream personality is mild-mannered scientist Bruce Banner; Black Widow, former Russian spy Natasha Romanoff who uses her looks, wit, and lethal fighting skills to save the day; and Clint Barton, nicknamed Hawkeye, a S.H.I.E.L.D agent whose skill with a bow and arrow makes Legolas look like a child playing cowboys and Indians. Although not a fighting member of the Avengers, the mastermind behind them is Nick Fury, human director of the espionage agency S.H.I.E.L.D.
What I particularly loved about The Avengers is that three of the six superheroes are regular humans. See, my books feature supernatural creatures – in this case, vampires – fighting evil and finding love with humans. I get asked a lot about compatibility issues in a human/nonhuman relationship and I think the movie gives a great example of how being compatible has more to do with will, perseverance, and bravery than with matching supernatural abilities. Black Widow doesn’t have any otherworldly abilities – or a high-tech Super Suit – yet she’s critical to the success of the Avengers because of her other strengths. Same goes with Hawkeye. Tony Stark, even without his Ironman suit, is still instrumental to the team because of his intelligence. Sure, having the ability to withstand injuries that would kill a normal person (Captain America), or a huge magical hammer (Thor), or enough strength to throw a demi-god around like a rag doll (The Hulk) are also critical, but they’re not enough to defeat the villain and his army without those extraordinary yet “regular” Avengers.
As I said, I’ve played with the same themes in my books. My vampires may have abilities like super strength, telekinesis, mind control, or the ability to fly, but that doesn’t make their human counterparts less extraordinary, in my opinion. Take my upcoming novel, Once Burned. In it, my heroine Leila is a human whose exposure to a massive dose of electricity left her with some unusual abilities; namely, her body gives off voltage and she picks up psychic impressions through touch. While those abilities initially throw her together with my hero, a pyrokinetic vampire named Vlad (yes, that Vlad :)) it’s her mental fortitude that impresses Vlad the most. Without that, Leila would have been merely another tool he used against his enemies. But her inner strength proves so captivating that even the uncrowned Prince of Darkness ends up drawn into the most high-stakes battle of all: falling in love.
I’m going to assume that everyone agrees mental fortitude is important, but just for kicks, if you could have any supernatural ability (flying, mind control, pyrokinesis, telekinesis, shapeshifting, a big magic hammer, Hulking-out, etc.) what would it be? Everyone who answers will be entered to win one of two advance reading copy of Once Burned.
CONTEST DETAILS AND RULES
1. To enter, you leave a comment on this blog post answering Jeaniene’s question above.
2. You do not need to follow Vampire Book Club to be entered, but we sure do like it.
3. This contest is open internationally.
4. Contest closes at 11:59 p.m. CST on June 3, 2012.
5. The winners will be selected using Random.org. Then each will be contacted via email and given 48 hours to claim her prize. If we do not hear from the winner(s) within that time, a new winner will be selected.
6. Entrants must be at least 18 years old or have their parent’s permission to enter. Please review our privacy policy, if you have any questions as to how Vampire Book Club uses your information. (Short version: we’ll only use it to contact you for this contest.)
7. Though unlikely, Vampire Book Club has the right to change or cancel any giveaway at any time without prior notice.
8. Vampire Book Club is not responsible for prizes lost or damage in transit.
9. Big thank you to Jeaniene Frost for providing the two ARCs of Once Burned.
Oh…. Telekenisis or shape shifting would be awesome. Although… Winning Vlad’s book would be even better…. 🙂
I can think of a few I’d love to have. However, if I had to just pick one, I’d say teleportation for sure. I’ve seen enough BTVS to know superpowers like mind reading are not always a good thing. But teleportation would be great! It would be amazing to be able to just snap my fingers and be anywhere in the world, whenever I wanted to be there.
If I could have a superpower, I’d choose shapeshifting. I’m obsessed with dragons, and I’ve always wanted to turn into one. Plus, being able to fly (most winged creatures or breathe underwater (aquatic creatures) would be super-cool as well.
shapeshifting would be awesome, to be able to turn into an animal and get to experience life as that animal would be supper cool. Especially if you could turn into a dolphin or a wolf.
Pyrokinesis, all the way. There’s something just a little sexy about fire, which is part of why I can’t wait to read Once Burned. 😉
Although mind control would be an extremely powerful one to have, it comes with a monster serving of ethical issues. So, I’ll go with one of the most fun ones, flying.
I would like the ability to go to and see the past. There a many people that i would love to see again.
Thank you for the contest.
Shape-shifting. 🙂
I would love to be able to shapeshift. But telekinesis would be great also. Too many great talents. Oh just to be a super hero!
I would have to say shapeshifting. I’ve always been fascinated with the idea of changing into an animal. And on a side note, we are going to watch the Avengers tomorrow night! So excited! 🙂
Superhealing…..i’m really clumsy.
My super power would be seeing the future!
I can’t remember what it’s called but I’d love to be able to go somewhere by a simple thought. Teleportation?? I would get so much done!!
Would love the ability to teleport myself anywhere or anytime.
I would love to be able to teleport. It would be wonderful to just think of a place and then all of a sudden show up there. Thanks for the giveaway!
I’d love telekenesis so I can sit and read all my books and clean the house at the same time
I would love Telekinesis since I am a lazy person I could just make the object come to me or Teleportation so you can teleport out of trouble or go somewhere fun fast.
I can’t wait for this book to come out Thanks for the giveaway.
I would like to be able to be invisible. So many advantages to that!
Mind reading, there are times it would come in real handy in judging if someone is lying or not and if you’re being deceived. Though to be able to be a firestarter would be great as well, never would need a match
Definitely telekenesis. To be able to move things with my mind would be awesome!
I think I would like my superpower to mind control!
I would love to fly.
It would be between mind reading, detecting lies through voices, or invisibility.
I would like the ability to heal myself and others. So much good you could do with that!
I’d have to say invisibility. Sometimes it would just be nice to disappear. I seem to attract stalkers. I need to hide! Hahaha
I would say either flying or mind control. I could do absolutely anything I wanted with mind control, but it would also be cool to fly to other states without having to be in a plane, which is just scary.
pyro all the way..girl on fire ; )
I would pick flying. I have always said that. I sometimes dream about the scenes in the books where Bones takes Kat flying. I would love to know that it feels like.
Oh wow the ability to move through space and time in a blink.
I would choose telekinesis. All forms of telekinesis. Manipulating science would be cool.
Nice guest post! I haven’t seen The Avengers yet, but I really want to!
I would love to have the ability to shape-shift ^_^
Thank you so much for the giveaway!!
Invulnerability! Not be able to be hurt, able to regenerate and heal any wounds. Mad ninja skills would be nice, too, lol.
Teleportation for sure!! How fantastic would it be to be able to pop to Italy for dinner.
Hmmm I would have to go with….well this is harder then one thinks. i’ve always liked a combination of abilities. but for just one, I would have to start with speed.
I always liked Storm’s power, it would have been awesome If you could control the weather or wield nature.
I would like to have the ability to heal my self and others.
I don’t feel like I am very original after reading everyones answer. I would have to agree with all of you who chose teleportation. To be able to travel anywhere without dealing with airports or car rides would be priceless. Of course I would also want the power to bring people with me.
I’d choose the ability to travel through time. And according to Heroes I’d get teleportation free 😛
My superpower would have to be badassery. That’s right. Badassery. It comes complete with general kick ass skills, extensive knowledge of weapons, lightning quick speed, and awesome fighting skills. Oh, and taking names is in my repertoire.
But seriously, being some form of warrior would be pretty cool. And I HAVE always been intrigued with shapeshifting. But ooh, with all this talk of Once Burned, I can’t help but be intrigued by pyrokinetics. I’m sure all my friends would adamantly negate the idea of me+fire, but I’d love it.
Avengers was amazing. Loved it!!!!
Mind control 😉
O_o there are over 400 people trying to get a copy! 🙂 I would want to have magical powers. It is a versatile power. thanks!
I would love to have telekimnesis because I think that would be the most helpful power ever
Love your books, Jeaniene. I’m rooting for Bones to take the Alpha Showdown crown this year!
My superpower would be clairvoyance. I can handle anything if I know what is coming, so being able to see the future would be awesome!
I think that I would like to be able to teleport. No more waiting in traffic!!!
Shape-shifting 😉
Shape-shifting;)
My superpower would definitely be teleportation because these gas prices are kicking my a$$, so it’s time I fight back:)
Thanks for the awesome giveaway!!!
yadkny@hotmail.com
I think invisibility would be a unique and interesting to be able to do. Just think of the possibilities!
I would love to be able to read peoples minds…but it would be unreal to be able to control the elements …….you would have so much power with one gift…… thanks for the comp!!!!!!!!!!!
I’d pick on flying; I used to dream I could fly when I was little. Besides, it would save on gas.
sallans d at yahoo dot com