So, today's author is a bit different in that she's not coming out with a book quite that soon (the sequel, STOLEN NIGHTS), in her words possibly the "end of this year or early next year." But some of you may have read her first book, INFINITE DAYS, that received many rave reviews about a year ago. Without further ado: REBECCA MAIZEL!Very Clickable Links: {website} · {blog} · {goodreads} · {amazon} · {book depository}
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ON IMMORTALITY
Why did I write a book about immortality? I think most of the reason I wrote a book about a vampire becoming human is because I am afraid of immortality. I wanted to explore this fear and ask the questions: what would it mean if I was forced to live forever? What kind of person would I be if I had to watch all of those I loved die? To actually live forever scares the living hell out of me. So at the time I was writing Infinite Days, I kept asking myself, what happens when the stars go out? What happens when the sun has burnt out? If I lived forever would I be cursed to walk through darkness even though the earth was no more?
Subconsciously, I think we, humans, understand the timed parameters of our lives. That all of us – good and bad have an expiration date and we have to live the life we’re given to the best of our abilities. So I started free writing and Lenah was born – she literally took over when I was free writing and her conflict became very, very clear: she wanted to be human. She wanted to enter into the mortality contract – she wanted to be able to die.
I knew that Lenah’s decision to choose life would also mean needing to reconcile her past as an immortal creature and her present as a human teenager. Lenah looks sixteen but she has the mind of a 592-year-old killer. A 592-yr-old immortal who had watched everyone she loved die and created her own coven of vampires to keep her company. I think when choosing to write immortal characters you really need to decide why this character is immortal? What are they living so long for? What is the purpose of the cycle? In my vampire lore, the longer Lenah is a vampire the more insane she becomes. I think this translates somehow to my own fears of immortality, the more people she loses the more pain she feels and the more her desire to become human grows. Don’t get me wrong, when Lenah and her crew are first vampires, it’s a grand ol’ time. But time goes on and things get worse…much worse.
But love – immortality and love are tricky in Infinite Days, especially as a vampire. Even in my vampire world, love is a curse. It’s a respite from the misery and pain you feel as a vampire but you’re cursed, to love that person forever – for eternity (think about your first boyfriend or even your second…can you imagine if you were forced to love them FOREVER?) Lenah, Rhode, and Justin’s love triangle is interesting to me as a writer because I am compelled by the many ways we can love someone. The many ways we can sacrifice our lives and choices for those we love.
Infinite Days is the first in my trilogy published with St. Martin’s Press.
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Summary:
“Throughout all my histories, I found no one I loved more than you…no one.”
Those were some of Rhode’s last words to me. The last time he would pronounce his love. The last time I would see his face.
It was the first time in 592 years I could take a breath. Lay in the sun. Taste.
Rhode sacrificed himself so I, Lenah Beaudonte, could be human again. So I could stop the blood lust.
I never expected to fall in love with someone else that wasn’t Rhode.
But Justin was…daring. Exciting. More beautiful than I could dream.
I never expected to be sixteen again…then again, I never expected my past to come back and haunt me…
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GIVEAWAY
I have one signed ARC of INFINITE DAYS to giveaway. The commenting system was a huge hassle, so while it's no longer required, it's nice to hear your thoughts. :)
To enter, fill out the form below. Open U.S. and Canada only.
