CONTEST CLOSED
**** CONGRATULATIONS to the winner robsad79. Please contact me on contact @ traceyohara . com (no spaces) so we can arrange for your prize to be sent *****
Hi, my name is Tracey O’Hara and I’m a Darkoholic.
Seriously though, I am also another of the new kids on the block who lives in Australia. I write the Dark Brethren series, which Love Vampires termed as “Urban Fantasy Romance” (I thought that was rather cool).
The other day Merrie Destefano talked about Bad Boys vs Bad Guys and a little while ago Juliana Stone talked about Why we love Paranormals so I thought I would tackle my favorite topic, the dark side of paranormals.
Don’t get me wrong, I love a bit of humor too, but I really like my paranormals dark. I loved it when Angel became Angelis, he seemed to have more “life” than the whoa-is-me-I’m-just-a-poor-vampire. And the Spike before he was ruined by his lust for the Buffsta. I am definitely and Eric over Bill and am neither Team Edward or Team Jacob—if I was anything I would be Team James. I like my vampires with fangs who aren’t afraid to bite.
It’s not only that, I like my villains with a real dark side. It is my reason for creating the Necrodreniacs in my novels, the insane, vicious vampiric beings addicted to death-highs. But they are addicts, and it is part of their nature to kill.
However, there is nothing more dark and scary than a perfectly sane person or being who does evil things for personal gain or pleasure. A serial killer who kills for the pure enjoyment of the act or the evil crime lord who discards the value of life for profit. Sometimes these villains just seem more... interesting. Though I still cheer when the a hero or heroine who defeats them—the bloodier the better. One of my favorite anti-heroes from last year was Peter - THE CHILD THIEF by Brom. It’s a dark, twisted and modern re-telling of the Peter Pan story by J.M. Barrie.
I am giving away a signed copy of my first Dark Brethren novel, NIGHT’S COLD KISS along with a tote bag, cap and t-shirt.
For a chance to win, tell me, do you prefer your stories dark or light and why?
For additional chances to win
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Open to International posters!!!!
55 comments:
Definitely dark! I like my books to be an exciting escape from the real world. I feel like dark stories equal paranormal and mystical things and portray them in a more dangerous but fun way. Light stories are good at times but I definitely prefer the dark :)
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Prefer 'em dark. Why? Have had enough of cutesy faff light ones. I am an angry young lady, after all ;-)
Am I allowed to vote for both? I was sad when Angel went evil, but at the same time, he turned into such a bad ass! There's just something irresistible about it... maybe because, like you said, when a character is truly evil, they're a bit more intriguing. When the "bad guy" gives you a reason to hate him/her, I think it makes for a more compelling read. Plus sometimes, it's nice to have things leaning a little closer to black & white.
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OOOh!!!! Good topic!!! Although I generally read YA, so it's usually on the lighter side...sometimes it's refreshing to see a bad guy do something just because they're bad. It's definitely scarier when someone really commits to the "dark." While I have long enjoyed L.J. Smith and, more recently, Twilight, I do think that sometimes monsters need to be monsters.
Sorry for being wishy-washy, because I see the light stuff as revealing a more "magical/anything is possible" kind of world to us, while the dark stuff can be chilling/scary, and I like to go back and forth.
--Thanks for mentioning Child Thief, I hadn't heard of that one
--And yours looks really good too (especially after reading your post!)
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I like them both. I like the man who is extremely dark but can still manage to fall in love and give any light he has to the woman even though everyone else still sees him as a badass.
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Btw go Aussies! I love finding new Authors from here!
Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! Oi, Oi, Oi!
Sorry, have to wave the green and gold here, cause we're sure not able to do it at the World Cup.
I'm with you, Tracey. If you're going to be a vampire, be a vampire. Sure, you can have a heart and even love, but you gotta be cool, relaxed, get hip ...
Sorry, but man, wouldn't Freddie Mercury have made a great vampire!
i like both too. it depends on my mood. if i'm having personal problems i'll more than likely pick up the fun, light book than the dark, emotional one.
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Hey Tracey,
I definitely prefer my vampyres scary as opposed to "sparkly" and a big Yes to Spike as the Big Bad in Season 2 Buffy, or in fact "Spike and Dru"-my fav Big Bads in the whole Buffy 'verse.
And I'm right with you in being in camp Eric as opposed to camp Bill (hmmm, given their vampire predilections, is that a pun?)
A tad more seriously though, in order for there to be a hero, or anti-hero, there needs to be some darker power for them to strive against. Without that, the ever important story lacks that vital element called creative tension ... (just imho :-))
Nicole: we're still waving the black and silver at the World Cup, but next match Italy later tonight (gulps!)
It depends, I love light stories, but I do enjoy dark ones too. I need a balance, a bit of darkness with the light, or a balance between the two in teh book
I definitely prefer them dark! The darker and grittier and scarier, the better (",). I find that a lot of light stories are too fluffy and silly, very candy-flossy ... seems like a waste to time reading them, so I *AVOID*.
I'm in the "both" camp - depending on my mood, I guess. Love the Zodiac Series (dark) and laughed all the way through Tales of an Urban Werewolf.
One thing though, in Twilight - I thought Victoria was the most interesting villian. (I guess because I saw the movie before reading the books) the shots of her running with all that red hair.... awesome and spooky in a graceful sort of way. Also a creepy, creepy smile.
I like both as long as they are creative and keep my attention I'm happy :)
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Cassandra C
I like both. It really depends on my mood but most of the time I do lean towards the dark side. The dark side can bring a lot of interesting stories.
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Good topic, Tracey! I'm in the "dark" camp, even though my Nicki Styx series is technically labeled "light paranormal romance" vs. "dark urban fantasy/romance", mainly because the protagonist has a snarky sense of humor that helps her to get through the sticky and sometimes dangerous situations that come from dealing with the dead.
Interestingly enough, however, one of the most popular characters in the series is VERY dark, and he's the one readers wanted to know more about, which is why he gets his own series in 2011. (Yay!)
(And here is where I admit-as the author-that while Nicki had a bit of a love triangle going on throughout the series with a good guy vs. a bad guy, I always secretly wanted the bad guy to win!) :-)
Good luck to everyone today! Tracey's prizes look awesome! Love that ballcap!
I like both. I have been reading the Zodiac series and so far it is one dark free fall after another . I will put it down and feel bummed out for a while, but that is one of the joys of reading (feeling deeply for the characters). I also love my snarky heroines and love to laugh out loud, literally (when you do that people around you will check out the title you are reading. Yes, I am a book pimp {OMG! what a great shirt that would make} [OMG! How many different parentheses can I use]). @Terri: heehee, I know who you are talking about and can't wait to read more about him!
+2 points for me!!
I like mine dark,mysterious and with a wicked sense of humor. Having a scar or two is a bonus as it adds some depth and the torment that that brings makes them all most but not quite human.
Carol
I love the dark stuff. I am a Damon fan. The dark just seems sexier to me. I do read more YA lately in between to get the not so dark for a break. I can't wait to check out you books, they sound really good.
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It's a balance that is created between characters that makes the light and dark shine. I feel if you enjoy the light characters it has come from help of the dark and vice versa.
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i like mine dark, otherwise the book doesn't hold my attention very long. dark is alot more entertaining to me.
Tracey,
Awesome post, my dear! Love the dark side. Honestly, if we didn't have bad guys, there would be no tension in any book. My opinion, anyway. I love stories with edge and bite and grit.
Love your swag, girl! I envy the lucky person who's going to win all that great stuff.
=)
I'm going to have to come down on the dark side. I love the danger factor, the never quite knowing what the character is going to do. Even when Damon (Vampire Diaries) was all bad, he was by far my favorite character.
I'm a combo of the two kinda girl. I really like reading both kinds of stories, it just depends on the mood I'm in. :)
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The darker the better. If you scare me you get extra points!
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I kind of prefer a dark edge to my stories that I read and a little in what I writer as well. Darker sadly just sounds more natural because things aren't always light and happy. I can connect better with the darker stories and thus why I like them more.
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I like darker better too. I got this book called Thirsty by MT Anderson (I haven't really read it, I did my bad habit of scanning through it because I wanted to know what happens ASAP and eventually will read every word) The ending was so dark and hopeless it amazed me. I read just the ending a few times. my mind instantly wandered to what could happen next if the story continued.
I love reading scenes where the vampires is sinking fangs into flesh, always gives me shivers!
sometimes I just want to kick Edward Cullen for being a whiny bastard about being a vampire!
I tend to read more dark stories than light stories, they just seem to be more interesting and exciting. I do like a bit of humor mixed in to even the darkest stories though, just to give it that little kick that keeps me entertained.
Dark, all the way! The adrenaline high of flirting with the edge of disaster rocks my world, & ensures that I'll never be bored. :)
I prefer mine dark but as long as I enjoy the read I will read either! tWarner419@aol.com
I will read both, light and dark. Light is usually has some pretty funny stuff but I do like dark better.
Dark just does it for me, drags me in more and I get more emotional. I can't put a dark book down and end up staying up all night to finish the story and get a bit depressed when it ends because I've laughed, cried, gotten pissed, the whole emotional spectrum, with the characters. (Zodiac series, Hunter and Jo, hello! And Cat & Bones anyone? In Destined for An Early Grave especially.)
I usually root for the bad boy in the story as well and agree that Eric is the man! Bill is so predicable and boring, blah. The whole Eric/Bill thing is the one thing on TB that upsets me I tell people all the time to read the books because Eric rocks!
And I agree that vampires should be VAMPIRES.
Great post!
* Posted link on FB too!
DARK! Much more fun.
I like them both, but I do like a little more dark than light. I also like it when the character has both within. Makes it more interesting when they aren't ALL single minded either way. Plus, it's a bit more realistic in a surreal world. :)
I need to read Child Thief now.
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I prefer books with characters that are truly horridly evil. The darker the book can go the better.
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You know sometimes there are really dark ones and sometimes the lighter side appeals... it depends on my mood, the author's style, and any previous books I have read by them. The thing is though, contrast is good... so I definitely like to mix it up.
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argh!
cut off my facebook link:
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here is a link for facebook
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I have alot of para experiences from ghosts to demons to having prophetic dreams...
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Oh, nice! Wish I had a twitter account! Yet another reason to get one... *sigh*
CHILD THIEF was creep-o-rama! Man, that book was chilling!!! Great suggestion!
Angel was great once he dumped Buff and went to LA. :D And when he was Angelus...wow. What a hottie!
Why are dark, troubled guys so attractive to us these days?
dark deffinitely. lighter books i dun seem to stay up all night to read, but dark books i have to finish. if the book is not well written though it doesn't matter if it's dark or light. i am more forgiving about dark type books.
I prefer it Not too dark and not too light, in between :)
Coz if it's too dark, i just can't feel the 'human side' in the stories
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The darker the better for me bc at age 8 I fell in love with Dracula. I think this is why Shawn is one of my favorite characters to write. He truly is a bad boy, playful, but has a dark side to him the world has yet to see. I'm not always all about the romance either. Loved 30 Days of Night. Blood and gore, bring it on, but only if it's done well.
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I like a little bit of both. If it's too dark it can get scary; I don't like scary. If it's too light then it isn't really sexy to me.
I like them dark but with a strong sense of redemption at the end. And I need my villains to scare the Holy Crap out of me or the book isn't worth reading.
I see there are a few darkoholics like me. and even you girls who like the light also have a soft spot for a bit of the dark.
I have never read or watched the Vampire Diaries - maybe I will have to check this Damon out.
I like creepy and scary - I like to be covers up to my chin scared.
THE CHILD THIEF resonates with me even months after reading it. Actually I got busy and couldn't finish - but I am wating for things to calm down so I can go back and read it from the beginning again. And it has truely fabulous illistrations.
I adore dark heroes, but love them even more when they'rs susceptible to the heroine, like she's the only light in their otherwise dark world. (sigh)
I know I already voted, but I keep thinking about this post, and the two most chilling books I've ever read weren't about mythical monsters, Stephen King's "Misery" and "The Girl in the Box," by Ouida Sebestyen--most people probably know the first book, but the second is about a girl is kidnapped and locked in a basement, and never sees the kidnapper again--It's absolutely chilling and unfathomable, I read it way back, middle-schoolish, and still have vivid, unsettling memories from it.
I definitely lean toward darker stories. I usually find the monsters in stories more interesting. And one of my favorite kind of characters are anti-heros. I really love a character who can go out and take care of business.
It depends on my mood, but I prefer dark stories, they are usually more intense.
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It depends on my mood - sometimes I want a lovely light story to cheer me up, other times I need that dark, dangerous edge in my reading!
I like them both. I tend to read one dark and then switch up and read somthing a little less dark.
I Prefer My Stories on The Dark Side. I Think They Give It That Little Added Something That Light Stories May Not Nesscessarly Have. Light Stories Are Nice And I Do Read Them But Darker Stories Just Give Me The Danger And Peril I Look For Between Characters.
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I enjoy both, but probably lean more towards the dark and twisty. I read a lot of young adult that is a dark/light mixture, but the adult books I read are definitely dark. Dark just seems to match my personality.
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Thanks for the contest!
I like both. It depends on the mood I am in. Your book sounds good. I like the cover.
I like dark stories more - mostly because the "payoff" is bigger in these stories in terms of the heroine overcoming the various obstacles thrown in her way.ref
Great question! I really like both light and dark novels. What I don't like is when a humorous novel relies so heavily upon jokes that it doesn't develop either the plot or the characters very well. Then it feels more like a gimmick than anything else.
Thanks for the great giveaway!
Great topic!!!!--Congrats to the winner!!!!
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