Guest Blog and Midnight Conquest Giveaway with Arial Burnz

Greetings! I'm honored to be a guest on the Fang-Tastic Book blog today.
I aim to provide some fun trivia information for paranormal fans while I share a touch of my debut novel. At the end of the blog, you'll see links to an excerpt, my web site and blog, the first chapter, where to purchase my novel…and don't forget to leave a comment so you have a chance to enter the contest. I'm giving away 2 eBook copies of my novel.
To start off my discussion, I'll include the opening paragraphs of MIDNIGHT CONQUEST:
Scottish Fortress of the Vamsyrian Council—1486
"Death? Shall I—" Another wave of agony pressed upon his chest. Broderick MacDougal braced as razor-like pain raked through the inside of his body and coursed through his veins.
He dropped to his knees. Putting his hands in front of him, he kept his face from hitting the sandstone as the breath was knocked from his lungs. Panting, he laid his cheek against the floor. The cold stone soothed the fever of his skin. The sound of his ragged breaths echoed off the vastness of the Vamsyrian Fortress. As the agony subsided, he struggled to right himself and stared at the youthful faces of the Elders.
The Elders of the Vamsyrian Council sat on their black iron thrones behind the expanse of their black marble table, looking like anything but elders. They glared down at Broderick, who knelt on the floor before them. All three men of various unknown nationalities and features, garbed in formal brocade robes of deep red, seemed no older than five-and-twenty years. Yet they measured their ages in centuries, Cordelia had told him.
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So begins the scene where my main character/hero of the story, Broderick MacDougal, becomes a vampire. However, the word "vampire" is never mentioned in my novel outside of the back of the book blurb or notes. You'll notice I use Vamsyrian – a concoction of my own with some Latin derivatives—which can easily transform into the word "vampire" as what happens often with words through time. Why? Because the word "vampire" did not exist prior to the 1730s.
Many avid readers of paranormal fiction are well-versed in vampire lore, but I was amazed to find out how many of these fang-fiction fans were not aware of this trivia fact. Etymology states the earliest written account of the word "vampire" was in 1732, specifically referencing Hungarian vampires. Before that, such immortal, undead creatures were more commonly known as Remnants and they were NOT a pretty site nor anywhere close to the vampires we've all come to love and know today. They resembled what we know as zombies—decaying, mindless, wandering to prey upon the living—and rarely did they drink blood. Remnants, and later vampires, were frequently blamed for dry cows, failed crops, and sickness/disease.
Of course, I'd much rather stick with the newer versions of vampires—sexy, sexual, and let-me-catch-my-breath personalities. However, I'm a traditionalist in a lot of ways, and I do adore the old battle of God versus Satan, vampires being afraid of crosses, holy water and all that. I decided, instead, to put a bit of a spin on the old lore and make it harder to harm vampires.
Readers will learn in my book (not really a spoiler) that water or objects blessed by priests or people of the cloth aren't effective against vampires:
"Water blessed by a priest or clergy of the church would do nothing to a Vamsyrian. They were only servants of God, and bore their own faults and sins upon their heads. Water to harm a Vamsyrian must to be touched by God Himself. Broderick's teacher Rasheed said the only source known for that supply of water could be found in the deserts of Arabia, where it was rumored Moses struck a rock, bringing forth water to slack the thirst of the wandering Israelites during their exodus to the Promised Land. If Rasheed knew the exact location, he did not share that with Broderick, nor did Broderick expect him to. Rasheed taught Broderick what he must and nothing more. Such dark secrets were shared with few."
There are other facts about my vampire lore; some of which are revealed in MIDNIGHT CONQUEST. Much more is revealed in Book 2 – MIDNIGHT CAPTIVE.
You'll get a sneak peak of Book 2 at the end of Book 1.
But the big bomb – the identity of the first vampire – isn't revealed until Book 6 – MIDNIGHT DELIVERER. Mwuhahahaha!
We are all busy people and have a million things to do, so I will leave you with the promised links and information.
Remember, post a comment on this blog to be entered into the contest- 2 ebook copies are being given away.
For your post, I'd love to know three things:
1) What do you like MOST about vampire lore (in modern or historical literature)?
2) What do you like LEAST?
3) Name at least two of your favorite authors and why.
Don't be afraid to be honest if it goes against what I've posted. Opinions are like belly buttons…everyone's got one! ;)
Thank you for participating and visiting Fang-Tastic Books!
I'll be available to answer comments and questions throughout the day and I'll announce the winner by 7pm PST.

That's my two pence…
Arial

Links:
• Arial Burnz—web site—http://www.ArialBurnz.com
• Arial Burnz—blog—http://arialburnz.wordpress.com
• First Chapter of MIDNIGHT CONQUEST-- http://www.arialburnz.com/bbb/MidnightConquest_Ch01.pdf
• Book Trailer— http://www.arialburnz.com/bbb/index.htm
• Purchase AND Excerpt on All Romance eBooks— http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-midnightconquest-557235-139.html