Home of the Alpha Showdown, and one-stop shop for urban fantasy, paranormal romance and fantasy news and reviews.
I was born and raised in Alaska, and have been an avid vampire fiction reader since around age nine. I always wondered why vampire stories were set in Europe or New Orleans or Las Vegas. Why would these creatures limit themselves to places where the sun was out ten or twelve hours a day?
This thought was most persistent in the winter, when I woke in the dark, went to school/work in the dark, and came home in the dark. And yet, other than the movie 30 Days of Night and a recent, rather strange vampire-themed cruise (which came up in the summer, mind you), I haven’t seen this idea explored.
So I wrote Don’t Bite the Messenger. Set in Anchorage, Alaska, where I sometimes race through the streets at two a.m. (for research purposes, officer!), Messenger takes place a few years in the future. Vampires, who are known in this world, have been invited into the state with open arms. Why? Because the economy still sucks and vampires, for all their unsavory characteristics, can use their heightened senses to scout out natural resources. Gold. Oil. Gemstones. All the things that make an economy go boom in a good way. When the money’s flowing, the powers that be are more than willing to look the other way when the odd dry corpse pops up.
But, because with great ability comes irritating inconvenience, the undeath process alters vampires’ energy fields. They fry ambient waves and, in time, short out grounded electricity. So no phones, no computers, no instant messaging. Vampires use couriers – brave, quick, expendable humans – to deliver correspondence to each other. And this, dear VBC readers, is the world into which I dropped our resourceful heroine, courier Sydney Kildare.
Regan was kind enough to offer up two digital giveaway copies of Don’t Bite the Messenger — one for U.S. readers, and one for international readers — to VBC. To enter, leave a comment telling us where you think vampires would thrive (or talking about the awesomeness of vampires on Alaska), and let us know if you’re entering for the U.S. or international copy.
CONTEST DETAILS AND RULES
1. To enter, you leave a comment on this blog answering the question above and indicate if you are entering for the U.S. or international giveaway.
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 Tuesday, Feb. 7, 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 Regan Summers for providing the prizes.
It’s about time someone wrote about vampires in Alaska! After seeing it done in 30 Days of Night, I wondered why no one else saw the logic in it, so glad someone did 🙂
Think it’s about time that we explore Alaska.It seems great for vampires. Long nights and the don’t have to worry about the cold.Can’t wait to read this book.
I love stories set in Alaska. Something about the area just fascinates me. I think vampires would really thrive there too. Theres less sunlight and so much open space to disappear into.
Vampires belong everywhere, invade the world! Thank you for the giveaway!!
(Internationally)
This book seems really amazing! I’ve never read any story settled in Alaska and I’m so curios!All that “night”…
(international)
I’ve only ever heard of one family of vampire that lives in Alaska, and that’s the Cullen’s cousin family in Twilight. Hahaha. Vamp novels are usually in Seattle, New Orleans, or the likes. I’ve never been to the US, so I’m not really sure, but I think vamps will also thrive in the darker alleys of China and Japan?:P
Thanks for this giveaway! (International)
I like the way vampires in Alaska sounds, I don’t think I’ve read of any there yet. I think Canada would be a good place too! Thanks for the giveaway.
(US entry)
Alaska Vampires sound awesome. I think that the more unusual the place, the more interesting the vampire book.
Vampires in Alaska…hmmm, can’t say I really thought about it. But it does make sense now that I am. With their 30 days of night…they should feel right at home. Though I worry that they might feel the cold more…
Oh…and I forgot to tell you…I’m in the US.
My aunt lives near Anchorage and is always trying to talk me into visiting or moving there. I hate the cold and snow tho. It would be a great place for vampires, not only because of the months of darkness, but they are immune to cold and have all that extra strength for shoveling snow.
(Im not sure what copy to enter for. We are US, but live in Japan on a US military base).
Vamps in Alaska won’t sparkle… (snerk….) Plus, no one will notice that they are cold. Everyone is cold there! And, of course the whole less daylight thing will help them.
Thanks for the cool giveaway! I’m in the US
I think Seattle would be a great city for Vamps, since it’s always so overcast, but I had to laugh at sooz’s comment that they wouldn’t sparkle in Alaska. Too funny!
I’m in the US.
Why should Alaska be the only state without vampires? I think it’s genius to set a vampire book there and I hope that a series is generated out of it. Have to agree that Seattle would be another good location too though.
I’m in the U.S. and a follower
I love the idea of vampires in the northern latitudes. The long nights in the winter would be great for them. But, they have long days in the summer to worry about.
Maybe a winter home in Alaska and a summer home off of Antartica?
US entry here.
Totally the right idea with Alaska especially during the winter. Pacific NW is distant second, I live in Portland and we are on all sorts of flood warnings right now.
Vampires and northern north American seem like the perfect combination. Also places like Iceland, Scotland. Anywhere dark and moody 😉 (I’m in Toronto, Canada–frequently dark, not so moody…)
Alaska sounds like the ultimate place for vampires to thrive. Another place might be Seattle. They have on average around 226 cloudy days with over 80 partly cloudy days. So, if your vamps are able to survive under cloudy conditions then they would definitely blend in with the daytime humans.
(US entry)
There was actually a vampire story set in Alaska that I read YEARS ago…but I forget what it was called or who wrote it. Other ideal locations would be the northern reaches of Canada, Finland, Norway, etc., and don’t forget Iceland. All rather cold…but do Vampires even feel the cold? Just for fun, I’d love to see someone write Vampires in Hawaii…where in summer it can be sunny from 5am to 9:30pm. Not very vampire friendly, but would be hysterical…maybe a vampire gets misdirected there and has to cope? I’m in for the US giveaway, please!
Vampire vacation was also set in Alaska , made for a very fun read so I’m looking forward to this one!
I’m so in love with the idea of vampires in Siberia, I love the terrain and Russian vampires are just soooo hot! Thanks for the giveaway, and I’m in the U.S.
I’d have to go with Alaska. I can’t think of another place where it’s dark for that much amount of time. It just seems like a natural (heh heh) fit.
Thanks so much for hosting this giveaway and a big thank you to Regan for providing e-books for you to giveaway.
Entering the US giveaway.
I dunno if vampires in lightly populated areas would work very well. To many dead bodies and missing people becomes pretty noticeable 😛
I am entering the international giveaway
I would like the U.S. version please I just love to read
I think that anywhere in the far north would be fine…. especially the places where there’s no sun for months at a time 🙂
oh, and I’m entering the international giveaway 🙂 lol
The idea of Vampires living in Alaska is different but sounds great. I would like the U.S. version if I win.
sweetreaderma at comcast dot net
I think vampires would thrive best in Alaska. As we saw in 30 days of night, it would be the perfect place for them. I am glad someone is writing vampire books usually Alaska as the location. Please enter me in contest. I would love to read this book. It sounds very good. Tore923@aol.com
I too think that’s a great idea. Since there so many DARK hours. I would love to win the US version. Thank you so much. Can’t wait to read this.
I live in Canada and have always thought that except in summer, Vampires should live in the north. Much more dark although, I am not sure if the northern lights would cause problems.
Alaska certainly makes sense for the winter – maybe they migrate to Patagonia in the summer (winter there)? At least nowadays with modern transport. But I would think the summers would suck (no pun intended) for a vampire especially if they were far enough north to always have sun!
Everything about this book appeals to me! I’ve always wanted to go to Alaska, the cover is absolutely gorgeous, the story line is phenomenal, and I’ve been hearing wonderful things about this book! I want it desperately! It’s on my must read list!
Thank you so much for the giveaway chance!
I loved Alaska when I was there for a conference. The vastness of everything surprised me. Vampires in Alaska is an intriguing concept. There are certainly long nights, but they would have to deal with summer days of 20 hours of daylight as well. The story looks fascinating! Thanks for the give away!
I am entering the US giveaway. I like it being in Alaska I hope to visit there someday. I think like the other commenter Russia or Siberia would be good also.
Rachel V
pefrw(at)yahoo(dot)com
I always thought Vampires would do well in high party cities, like Vegas, where people are up all night and its not uncommon for them to wake up and not have a clue what happened last night. Or, if they remember something odd, they would just blame it on the alcohol. Alaska seems idea during the Winter, since its dark so at that time, but there are far less people too. I guess that would work out if they wish to hid but not if they want to be well fed, especially if there’s other vampires to compete with. Also they would have to migrate(or stay inside most of the time) during the summer which would be extremely boring and people would start to wonder why each time they order pizza, the delivery man goes missing.
I am from the U.S. too!
I never really gave it much thought before, but it certainly makes sense that a geographic area where the sun not out for long periods of time would be a good place for vampires. Although I still think they are a social race and would need to have more “human” interaction LOL than what could be provided in the less populated Alaska. Of course the cold would not be an issue either, so perhaps Alaska would be a grand home for the Vampires. Regardless I would love to read Don’t Bite The Messenger and appreciate the awesome giveaway opportunity and thank you for taking the time to share with us today.
dz59001[at]gmail[dot]com
I think they might thrive in the Canadian Rockies, feeding on skiers in the winter and hikers in the summer!
*Appreciate Giveaway:Helps those on fixed income/SSI{am perm multi disabled: wheelchair/home-bound}who need & luv to read, attain books can’t afford <3
*Kewl :-)'Luvs Me Some Vampires' & new take on oft told story! Setting story in Alaska, allows 'Those of the Nite' nearly Total Freedom, where 'Darkness Rules'…as opposed to locations where they're greatly Restricted, due to long 'Days of Sun'!
*Reading blog/review, whet my appetite:Hope soon enjoy escape into following their journey, of romance & adventures, thru paranormal world created!
*US Version if Win, Plz!
___ ___
V V Sounds Like a Bloody Good Time V V
*Paranormal Romance is Magickal*
What a fabulous premise – kudos! And as someone who also lives in Alaska, I agree that this is a great place for vamps. In fact, they’re probably already here……LOL
US entry please.
Alaska, Scandinavia, anywhere in the far north is perfect vampire country. What they have to watch out for — at least in the old days — was low population density. Too many people go missing and the neighbors are going to notice. But for a careful vampire — where could be better? An almost normal life for months out of the year. I wonder how their circadian cycle would handle so little variation in their environment. Humans have problems, I know. Would vampires just stay awake all winter??
Looking forward to reading the book. Great premise!
I think vampires would thrive in Alaska, Patagonia, Russia, or anywhere else that’s really cold. Thanks for the giveaway.
US
bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
I think they would thrive because it is so cold the blood would feel so hot in their mouths. Heaven
I have read many books in the “Vampire Genre”. I find that the Amazon River/Rainforst in South America where the trees and the plants grow so close together weave canopies that form and offer protection from the sun, not including the natural formations of caves and the like for nests and dens for covens of vampires. Its makes you wonder about those myths of the chupacabra the goat sucker who some believe is a type/species of vampire might not be true with that kinda of habit.
So, yes aside from this part of the world I think that the environments of places such as Alaska and Russia and the Scandinavian provinces are great places for vampires and I look forward to reading your book about Vampires in Alaska.
I’ve read many books about vampires also. The idea of them being located in Alaska sounds absolutely fabulous. I so can’t wait to read this book. It just makes sense with the long nights up there. The cover of the book looks amazing. Thanks for the giveaway.
kdoris@centurytel.net
I think that Vampires can really thrive anywhere they want. All they have to do is set up shop and they are set. Thanks for the giveaway. (US Entry)
Alaska does make allot of sense. Way more darkness than light. I can’t wait to read this. It’s already been in my wish-list. Thank you for the giveaway chance! DeAnna
Vampire’s in Alaska!! I don’t see why not. It all depends on if they Sparkle ha ha!!. It is not like Vampires can feel cold or not and the weather is bleak so they can be out in the day and the sun not bother them so why not a have a story of vampire’s in alaska. Alaska is a good place to set a storyline. I would enjoy a story like that I am glad someone thought of it!!
vampgrl74(at)gmail(dot)com
OOPs and by the way I am in the us .. sorry
It makes perfect sense that Vampires would thrive in Alaska or other northern regions that have the same daylight situation. They could be most active there. Not as big of a population base for blood donors though – they might have to ship it in.
Sounds like a great story.
(USA)
I always thought as a vampire I would switch between the northern (Alaska obviously) and the southern climates so that I always had the most darkness. It only makes sense to me 🙂
Can’t wait to read more…
PS USA
Vampires will thrive because they can adapt. Over times they have gone from the pale scary creatures to heroic ones. There are so many types and they’re always changing.
I am entering for the INT giveaway.
I think vampires could do well just about anywhere they wanted. I think a small population would make it more difficult & all the layers may make it a wee bit harder to just stop & get a snack, but on the flipside, people wouldn’t notice anything amiss if there were marks 😉
I’m in the US
Hmmm Alaska could work, but also places like New york and Vegas. Cities that never sleep and all that. Then it wouldn’t be weird for someone to be up at night.
(International giveaway)
🙂