tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83306739269641625192024-03-12T21:51:03.385-04:00Blood LinesAspasia Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903143756675674175noreply@blogger.comBlogger324125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330673926964162519.post-58780761559619870112023-12-26T12:02:00.002-05:002023-12-26T12:02:25.373-05:00Book Sale!<div class="separator"><p style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></p><p style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></p><p style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Love Lies Bleeding by Aspasia S. Bissas, end of year e-book sale. Aspasiasbissas.com, Smashwords, dark fantasy, paranormal, gothic, vampire, vampires, shifters" class="wp-image-5136" data-attachment-id="5136" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="love-lies-bleeding-ebook-sale-end-of-year-aspasia-s.-bissas" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/12/love-lies-bleeding-ebook-sale-end-of-year-aspasia-s.-bissas.png?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/12/love-lies-bleeding-ebook-sale-end-of-year-aspasia-s.-bissas.png?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/12/love-lies-bleeding-ebook-sale-end-of-year-aspasia-s.-bissas.png" data-orig-size="940,788" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/love-lies-bleeding-ebook-sale-end-of-year-aspasia-s-bissas/" height="440" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/12/love-lies-bleeding-ebook-sale-end-of-year-aspasia-s.-bissas.png?w=525" width="525" /></p></div>
It’s that time of year again: the Smashwords End of the Year Sale! Until January 1st you can get:
<p><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/836190" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"><em>Love Lies Bleeding</em> for 25% off</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/816146" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"><em>Blood Magic</em> FREE</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/957288" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"><em>Tooth & Claw</em> FREE</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/1486060" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"><em>Bleeding Heart:</em> New Release</a></p>
<p>Speaking of <em>Bleeding Heart</em>, the paperback will be out in early January! </p><img alt="Love Lies Bleeding by Aspasia S. Bissas, end of year e-book sale. Aspasiasbissas.com, Blood Magic, Tooth & Claw, Bleeding Heart, free book, Smashwords, dark fantasy, paranormal, gothic, vampire, vampires, shifters" class="wp-image-6898" data-attachment-id="6898" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="cover-photo-grid-3" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2023/11/cover-photo-grid-3.png?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2023/11/cover-photo-grid-3.png?w=200" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2023/11/cover-photo-grid-3.png" data-orig-size="1333,2000" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/home/cover-photo-grid-3/" height="787" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2023/11/cover-photo-grid-3.png?w=525" style="height: auto; width: 450px;" width="525" /><p>Happy Reading,</p>
<p>Aspasía S. Bissas</p><p> </p><p> <br /></p>Aspasia Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903143756675674175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330673926964162519.post-84923086807184253492023-12-02T16:12:00.002-05:002023-12-02T16:12:20.796-05:00New Novel by Aspasia S. Bissas: Bleeding Heart<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcuHJ0BxOSyIudFIluz8kcrsAIBET2yJVPB-2xnL9zUztWIl6v0K9jftqvIKseypKIaZljhc4lYeSYd2qdNR4CgCFH1lnNTCj9YVIzV63RMxfEII9jULdKch6D-YfQgvJsLKwD6DlWOlfR_R_Afdz5jQzuQtXcF6X5BNB1fBpR8cJolN4frI2DkIfqmNh/s2250/Bleeding%20Heart%20Front%20Cover%20final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="1410" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcuHJ0BxOSyIudFIluz8kcrsAIBET2yJVPB-2xnL9zUztWIl6v0K9jftqvIKseypKIaZljhc4lYeSYd2qdNR4CgCFH1lnNTCj9YVIzV63RMxfEII9jULdKch6D-YfQgvJsLKwD6DlWOlfR_R_Afdz5jQzuQtXcF6X5BNB1fBpR8cJolN4frI2DkIfqmNh/w402-h640/Bleeding%20Heart%20Front%20Cover%20final.jpg" width="402" /></a></div><p></p><blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p class="has-text-align-center">When up-and-coming actor Ash is
unexpectedly turned by ancient vampire Emma, he revels in the freedom of
his new life. But freedom soon turns to crushing oppression. As Emma’s
grip on him tightens, he begins to lose everything decent, everything
human, inside him. When he realizes the strange woman who haunts his
dreams is the same one Emma wants dead, will he stand by while Emma has
her way again?</p>
<p class="has-text-align-center">Mara killed her demons and left
everything behind–so why does it feel like she’s still not free? She
doesn’t know if she’s being haunted or hunted, but one thing she’s sure
of is that she’ll have to face a reckoning for her past. Will she find a
way to the future, or lose everything?</p>
<p class="has-text-align-center">Bleeding Heart is a dark fantasy novel
about nightmares, illusions, control, and revenge. Old meets new meets
ancient in this follow-up to Love Lies Bleeding.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I’m happy to announce that <em>Bleeding Heart</em> has been released
as an e-book! Don’t worry, if you prefer a hard copy, the
paperback will be out soon.</p>
<p>At the moment, <em>Bleeding Heart</em> is available on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP6G972D/ref=sr_1_1?crid=M83GMPQ3INWO&keywords=aspasia+s.+bissas&qid=1701304307&sprefix=aspasia+s+bissas%2Caps%2C81&sr=8-1" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Amazon</a> and the <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1486060" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a> site (click on the links to download now!)</p>
<p>I just want to thank everyone for your support and patience: I hope the wait was worth it ♥</p>
<p>Happy Reading, </p>
<p>Aspasía S. Bissas</p>
<p>P.S., Feel free to share this post 🙂</p><p>P.P.S., Follow me on my official site: <a href="http://AspasiaSBissas.com">AspasiaSBissas.com</a> <br /></p><p><br /> </p>Aspasia Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903143756675674175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330673926964162519.post-69106080788653283732023-09-20T13:41:00.003-04:002023-09-20T13:41:35.050-04:00Bleeding Heart Cover Reveal<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLWFpfzGpg3VARGYCxuHIBTRCzokIm4jPGjSBiwn68c41WaBk9wqETZHZ00DKirzMPO_xUzianktQP5SeHCNOeQ1Y36NjxPgH6mqUb4g-ypIbppKN1XWud69Oj0S0H2-JYTJSNBJDI6jydOyIznuZhIWeMJc6Fnc1N9VLTRTnaJIqIDpCN0ifnJxEIRmD/s2250/Bleeding%20Heart%20cover%20png.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="1410" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLWFpfzGpg3VARGYCxuHIBTRCzokIm4jPGjSBiwn68c41WaBk9wqETZHZ00DKirzMPO_xUzianktQP5SeHCNOeQ1Y36NjxPgH6mqUb4g-ypIbppKN1XWud69Oj0S0H2-JYTJSNBJDI6jydOyIznuZhIWeMJc6Fnc1N9VLTRTnaJIqIDpCN0ifnJxEIRmD/w402-h640/Bleeding%20Heart%20cover%20png.png" width="402" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>What do you think? </p>
<p>Fun fact: the statue is part of the “Monument à Denis Diderot,” located in the <a href="https://www.paris-pantheon.fr/en/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Panthéon</a> in Paris (a great place to visit, by the way). I chose this as the image for my next book way back when I chose the image for <em>Love Lies Bleeding</em>.</p>
<p>Just a reminder that Bleeding Heart will be available in October
(just in time for Halloween!). In the meantime, you can download my
other books:</p>
<div class="wp-block-image">
<div style="text-align: center;"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img alt="Aspasia S. Bissas books: Love Lies Bleeding, Blood Magic, Tooth & Claw, book, books, free book, free books, freebies, freebie, free ebook, free ebooks, vampire, vampires, dark fantasy, dark romance, historical fiction, gothic fiction, gothic fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, horror, dark reads, indie author, indie fiction, strong female protagonist, aspasiasbissas.com" class="wp-image-3823" data-attachment-id="3823" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="<p>Aspasia S. Bissas books: Love Lies Bleeding, Blood Magic, Tooth &amp; Claw</p>
" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Aspasia S. Bissas book covers" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png" data-orig-size="768,369" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2021/01/30/6-words-about-vampires/aspasia-s-bissas-book-covers/" height="192" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png?w=525" width="400" /></figure></div></div>
<p class="has-text-align-center" style="text-align: center;">Love Lies Bleeding: <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/836190" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-lies-bleeding-aspas-a-s-bissas/1126975412?ean=2940155299646" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/love-lies-bleeding-20" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/love-lies-bleeding/id1399829729" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a><br />Blood Magic: <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/816146" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blood-magic-aspasia-bissas/1128513750?ean=2940155217077" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/blood-magic-24" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/blood-magic/id1373159635?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a><br />Tooth & Claw: <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/957288" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tooth-claw-aspasia-s-bissas/1133399443?ean=2940163330331" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/tooth-claw-2" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/tooth-claw/id1479238761" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a></p>
<p class="has-text-align-center">If you prefer paperback, use <a href="https://bookshop.org/books/love-lies-bleeding-9781775012528/9781775012528" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"><strong>this link</strong></a> to order<em> Love Lies Bleeding </em>from
Bookshop – a portion of each sale goes directly to independent
bookstores, as well as to myself. Thank you for supporting indie! ♥</p>
<p> </p><p>Cheers,</p>
<p>Aspasía S. Bissas</p><p>[This was originally posted on my official site. Follow me at <a href="http://AspasiaSBissas.com">AspasiaSBissas.com</a>] <br /></p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img alt="" class="wp-image-6609" data-attachment-id="6609" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="image" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2023/09/image.png?w=72" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2023/09/image.png?w=72" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2023/09/image.png" data-orig-size="72,72" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2023/09/09/cover-reveal-bleeding-heart/image-7/" height="72" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2023/09/image.png?w=72" style="height: auto; width: 20px;" width="72" /></figure>Aspasia Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903143756675674175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330673926964162519.post-20302249155708792242023-09-12T15:16:00.001-04:002023-09-12T15:16:31.278-04:00New Book Announcement: Bleeding Heart!<p> </p><div class="wp-block-image">
<div style="text-align: center;"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img alt="Announcement: New Book Coming, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com. New book, book release, dark fantasy, urban fantasy, gothic, Bleeding Heart, vampire, vampires, shifters." class="wp-image-6561" data-attachment-id="6561" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="bleeding-heart" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2023/08/bleeding-heart.jpg?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2023/08/bleeding-heart.jpg?w=188" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2023/08/bleeding-heart.jpg" data-orig-size="1410,2250" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/books/bleeding-heart/" height="640" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2023/08/bleeding-heart.jpg?w=525" width="401" /></figure></div></div>
<p>“Bleeding Heart” is almost here! Keep an eye out for a cover reveal soon…</p>
<p> </p><p>Book bloggers/reviewers: please leave a comment if you’re interested in reviewing <em>Bleeding Heart</em>.</p>
<p> </p><p>Want to get reading now? Download my other books:</p>
<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img alt="Aspasia S. Bissas books: Love Lies Bleeding, Blood Magic, Tooth & Claw, book, books, free book, free books, freebies, freebie, free ebook, free ebooks, vampire, vampires, dark fantasy, dark romance, historical fiction, gothic fiction, gothic fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, horror, dark reads, indie author, indie fiction, strong female protagonist, aspasiasbissas.com" class="wp-image-3823" data-attachment-id="3823" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="<p>Aspasia S. Bissas books: Love Lies Bleeding, Blood Magic, Tooth &amp; Claw</p>
" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Aspasia S. Bissas book covers" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png" data-orig-size="768,369" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2021/01/30/6-words-about-vampires/aspasia-s-bissas-book-covers/" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png?w=525" /></figure></div>
<p class="has-text-align-center" style="text-align: center;">Love Lies Bleeding: <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/836190" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-lies-bleeding-aspas-a-s-bissas/1126975412?ean=2940155299646" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/love-lies-bleeding-20" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/love-lies-bleeding/id1399829729" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a><br />Blood Magic: <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/816146" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blood-magic-aspasia-bissas/1128513750?ean=2940155217077" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/blood-magic-24" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/blood-magic/id1373159635?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a><br />Tooth & Claw: <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/957288" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tooth-claw-aspasia-s-bissas/1133399443?ean=2940163330331" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/tooth-claw-2" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/tooth-claw/id1479238761" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a></p>
<p class="has-text-align-center">If you prefer paperback, use <a href="https://bookshop.org/books/love-lies-bleeding-9781775012528/9781775012528" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"><strong>this link</strong></a> to order<em> Love Lies Bleeding </em>from
Bookshop – a portion of each sale goes directly to independent
bookstores, as well as to myself. Thank you for supporting indie! ♥</p><p class="has-text-align-center"> Also, now is a great time to follow me on my official site: <a href="http://AspasiaSBissas.com">AspasiaSBissas.com</a> <br /></p>
<p>Cheers,</p>
<p>Aspasía S. Bissas</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img alt="🧿" height="20" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/14.0/1f9ff/72.png" style="height: 20px; width: 20px;" width="20" /></figure>Aspasia Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903143756675674175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330673926964162519.post-4292449796127627092023-07-25T14:32:00.007-04:002023-07-25T14:32:38.637-04:006 Words About Vampires<p><br /></p><h1 class="entry-title"></h1>
<div class="entry-content">
<p><img alt="bela" class=" size-full wp-image-467 aligncenter" data-attachment-id="467" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="bela" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/bela.jpg?w=480" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/bela.jpg?w=239" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/bela.jpg" data-orig-size="480,603" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2018/06/27/wordy-words-about-vampires/bela/" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/bela.jpg?w=525" /></p>
<p>As a writer, I love words. As a vampire fan, I write about vampires.
It seems natural to combine it all into one post; and so, I bring you
words about vampires…</p>
<p><img alt="6 words about vampires, blog post, aspasia s. bissas, vampire, sanguisuge, words, vocabulary, pinnable image, aspasiasbissas.com" class="wp-image-3807 aligncenter" data-attachment-id="3807" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="<p>6 Words About Vampires, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas</p>
" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="Sanguisuge, 6 Words About Vampires, via Aspasia S. Bissas" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/sanguisuge-6-words-about-vampires-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/sanguisuge-6-words-about-vampires-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/sanguisuge-6-words-about-vampires-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg" data-orig-size="940,788" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2021/01/30/6-words-about-vampires/sanguisuge-6-words-about-vampires-via-aspasia-s-bissas/" height="518" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/sanguisuge-6-words-about-vampires-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg?w=618&h=518" width="618" /></p>
<p>Related: “Sanguisugent” (adj), blood sucking or blood thirsty.
Wikionary says “sanguisuge” is obsolete, but I think it’s due for a
comeback.</p><p> </p>
<p><img alt="6 words about vampires, blog post, aspasia s. bissas, revenant, word, words, vocabulary, vampire, vampires, aspasiasbissas.com, pinnable image" class="wp-image-3809 aligncenter" data-attachment-id="3809" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="<p>6 Words About Vampires, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas</p>
" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="REVENANT 6 words about vampires via aspasia s. bissas" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/revenant-6-words-about-vampires-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/revenant-6-words-about-vampires-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/revenant-6-words-about-vampires-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg" data-orig-size="1080,1080" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2021/01/30/6-words-about-vampires/revenant-6-words-about-vampires-via-aspasia-s-bissas/" height="589" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/revenant-6-words-about-vampires-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg?w=589&h=589" width="589" /></p>
<p>I’ve <a href="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2020/05/02/5-more-vampires-you-may-not-have-heard-of/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">written</a> about revenants, if you’re curious to find out more. The word itself was coined in 1814 by Laetitia Matilda Hawkins in <em>Rosanne:</em></p>
<p>“‘Well, but what is it? What do you call it in French?’ ‘Why, revenant, to be sure. <em>Un revenant</em>.'”</p><p> </p>
<p><img alt="6 Words About Vampires, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, lamia, vampire, vampires, word, words, vocabulary, pinnable image, aspasiasbissas.com" class="wp-image-3811 aligncenter" data-attachment-id="3811" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="<p>6 Words About Vampires, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas</p>
" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="Lamia, 6 words about vampires, aspasia s. bissas" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/lamia-6-words-about-vampires-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/lamia-6-words-about-vampires-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg?w=169" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/lamia-6-words-about-vampires-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg" data-orig-size="1080,1920" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2021/01/30/6-words-about-vampires/lamia-6-words-about-vampires-aspasia-s-bissas/" height="758" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/lamia-6-words-about-vampires-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg?w=426&h=758" width="426" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">“Philosophy will clip an Angel’s wings,<br />
Conquer all mysteries by rule and line,<br />
Empty the haunted air, and gnomèd mine—<br />
Unweave a rainbow, as it erewhile made<br />
The tender-person’d Lamia melt into a shade.” -John Keats, “Lamia”</p>
<p>Fun etymology: Lamia literally means “swallower, lecher,” from <em><span class="foreign">laimos</span></em> “throat, gullet.” (<a href="https://www.etymonline.com/word/lamia" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Source</a>). Read more about them in my post <a href="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2019/04/13/5-vampires-you-may-not-have-heard-of/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p> </p>
<p><img alt="6 Words About Vampires, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, word, words, vocabulary, vampire, vampires, undead, zombies, pinnable image, aspasiasbissas.com" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-3827" data-attachment-id="3827" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="<p>6 Words About Vampires, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas</p>
" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="UNDEAD 6 Words About Vampires, via Aspasia S. Bissas" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/undead-6-words-about-vampires-via-aspasia-s.-bissas-1.jpg?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/undead-6-words-about-vampires-via-aspasia-s.-bissas-1.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/undead-6-words-about-vampires-via-aspasia-s.-bissas-1.jpg" data-orig-size="940,788" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2021/01/30/6-words-about-vampires/undead-6-words-about-vampires-via-aspasia-s-bissas-2/" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/undead-6-words-about-vampires-via-aspasia-s.-bissas-1.jpg?w=525" /></p>
<div>The first use of “undead” was c. 1400, but its use as a noun to mean vampires and other creatures dates from 1904. (<a href="https://www.etymonline.com/word/undead" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Source</a>)</div><div> </div>
<div></div>
<div>“It’s a reflex. Hear a bell, get food. See an undead, throw a knife. Same thing, really.” -Ilona Andrews, <em>Magic Bites</em></div><div><em> </em></div><div><em> </em></div>
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<div><img alt="6 Words About Vampires, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, word, words, vocabulary, vampire, vampires, exsanguinate, exsanguination, word meaning bleed to death, x files, pinnable image, aspasiasbissas.com" class="wp-image-3816 aligncenter" data-attachment-id="3816" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="<p>6 Words About Vampires, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas</p>
" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="Exsanguinate 6 words about vampires via aspasia s. bissas" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/exsanguinate-6-words-about-vampires-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/exsanguinate-6-words-about-vampires-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/exsanguinate-6-words-about-vampires-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg" data-orig-size="940,788" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2021/01/30/6-words-about-vampires/exsanguinate-6-words-about-vampires-via-aspasia-s-bissas/" height="517" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/exsanguinate-6-words-about-vampires-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg?w=617&h=517" width="617" /></div>
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<div>I know the word exsanguinate from the <em>X-Files</em> episode “Eve,” but it was first used around 1800, coming from the Latin <em>exsanguinatus</em>, meaning bloodless or deprived of blood.</div><div> </div>
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<div>“My first word of the new year was ‘exsanguinate.’ This was probably not a good omen.”</div>
<div>-Charlaine Harris, <em>Dead to the World.</em></div><div><em> </em></div>
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<div><img alt="you had me at" class=" size-full wp-image-474 aligncenter" data-attachment-id="474" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="you had me at" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/you-had-me-at.jpg?w=500" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/you-had-me-at.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/you-had-me-at.jpg" data-orig-size="500,184" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2018/06/27/wordy-words-about-vampires/you-had-me-at/" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/you-had-me-at.jpg?w=525" /></div>
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<div> </div><div> </div><div>And of course, we can’t forget the word that all the others relate to:</div><div> </div>
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<div><img alt="vampire" class=" size-full wp-image-472 aligncenter" data-attachment-id="472" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="vampire" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/vampire.jpg?w=500" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/vampire.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/vampire.jpg" data-orig-size="500,333" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2018/06/27/wordy-words-about-vampires/vampire/" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/vampire.jpg?w=525" /></div>
<div></div>
<p>The earliest form of the word “vampire” dates to only 1734, although
stories of monsters that rise from the dead and attack the living can be
found even in ancient times. The idea of blood-gorged walking corpses
goes back to at least the 1100s. There’s some debate as to where the
word comes from, but it most likely has its roots in the Old Church
Slavonic “<em>opiri.”</em> (<a href="https://www.etymonline.com/word/vampire" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Source</a>)</p>
<p>“It was too much, the weight of it all was too much. Maybe that was
why emotions were deadened in vampires; the alternative was to be
overtaken by them, crippled, left stranded and isolated and trapped by
unbearable sensation. How could they hunt if they felt sympathy,
empathy, love for their prey? How could they —how could she —live with
themselves?” Aspasía S. Bissas, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35524549-love-lies-bleeding" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><em>Love Lies Bleeding</em></a></p>
<p>Yes, that’s a quote from my own book (I’m sneaky that way). Get my books to find even more words about vampires:</p>
<p><img alt="Aspasia S. Bissas books: Love Lies Bleeding, Blood Magic, Tooth & Claw, book, books, free book, free books, freebies, freebie, free ebook, free ebooks, vampire, vampires, dark fantasy, dark romance, historical fiction, gothic fiction, gothic fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, horror, dark reads, indie author, indie fiction, strong female protagonist, aspasiasbissas.com" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-3823" data-attachment-id="3823" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="<p>Aspasia S. Bissas books: Love Lies Bleeding, Blood Magic, Tooth &amp; Claw</p>
" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Aspasia S. Bissas book covers" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png" data-orig-size="768,369" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2021/01/30/6-words-about-vampires/aspasia-s-bissas-book-covers/" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png?w=525" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Love Lies Bleeding: <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/836190" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-lies-bleeding-aspas-a-s-bissas/1126975412?ean=2940155299646" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/love-lies-bleeding-20" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/love-lies-bleeding/id1399829729" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a><br />
FREE Blood Magic: <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/816146" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blood-magic-aspasia-bissas/1128513750?ean=2940155217077" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/blood-magic-24" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/blood-magic/id1373159635?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a><br />
FREE Tooth & Claw: <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/957288" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tooth-claw-aspasia-s-bissas/1133399443?ean=2940163330331" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/tooth-claw-2" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/tooth-claw/id1479238761" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">If you prefer a good paperback to an ebook, use this link to order<em> Love Lies Bleeding </em>from <strong><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/4897/9781775012528" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Bookshop</a></strong> – a portion of each sale goes directly to independent bookstores, as well as to myself. Thank you for supporting indie! ♥</p>
<p>Did I miss your favourite word about vampires? Let me know in the comments…</p>
<p>Cheers,</p>
<p>Aspasía S. Bissas</p><figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img alt="🧿" height="20" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/14.0/1f9ff/72.png" style="height: 20px; width: 20px;" width="20" /></figure><p> </p></div>Aspasia Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903143756675674175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330673926964162519.post-74028447296269757612023-06-27T13:04:00.003-04:002023-06-27T13:04:48.998-04:00A Quote, A Review & A Request<p> <img alt="A Quote, A Review, and a Request, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com. Quote "For a moment she was blinded by white light before her vision flooded red again. She bared her fangs." Vampire, vampires, dark fantasy, horror, gothic, book review, reviews, Amazon, Goodreads, reading" class="wp-image-6455" data-attachment-id="6455" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="quote-5-love-lies-bleeding-by-aspasia-s.-bissas" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2023/06/quote-5-love-lies-bleeding-by-aspasia-s.-bissas.png?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2023/06/quote-5-love-lies-bleeding-by-aspasia-s.-bissas.png?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2023/06/quote-5-love-lies-bleeding-by-aspasia-s.-bissas.png" data-orig-size="2048,1365" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2023/06/24/a-quote-a-review-a-request/quote-5-love-lies-bleeding-by-aspasia-s-bissas/" height="427" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2023/06/quote-5-love-lies-bleeding-by-aspasia-s.-bissas.png?w=1024" width="640" /></p><p>
Dragonscale Clippings recently shared a review of Love Lies Bleeding: </p><p></p><blockquote>Love Lies Bleeding by Aspasia S Bissas Although this novel starts off almost predictably (for a vampire tale) it soon develops into something quite unusual. Read more…
</blockquote><p>
</p><p></p><header class="entry-header"><br /></header>
<div class="wp-block-image">Give it a read, and don’t forget to stop by Dragonscale Clippings’s <a href="https://dragonscaleclippings.wordpress.com/2023/05/25/fantasy-horror-and-faeries/comment-page-1/?unapproved=11739&moderation-hash=20b661f89b660f8cedd5a1c2674d2a22#comment-11739" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">blog</a> and follow and like! Many thanks for the kind review ♥
</div><p>Speaking of reviews, if you’ve read and enjoyed any of my books,
please take a minute now to leave a rating or review (links below). And
if you haven’t read my books yet, now is the perfect time to start…</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Aspasia S. Bissas books: Love Lies Bleeding, Blood Magic, Tooth & Claw, book, books, free book, free books, freebies, freebie, free ebook, free ebooks, vampire, vampires, dark fantasy, dark romance, historical fiction, gothic fiction, gothic fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, horror, dark reads, indie author, indie fiction, strong female protagonist, aspasiasbissas.com" class="wp-image-3823" data-attachment-id="3823" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="<p>Aspasia S. Bissas books: Love Lies Bleeding, Blood Magic, Tooth &amp; Claw</p>
" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Aspasia S. Bissas book covers" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png" data-orig-size="768,369" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2021/01/30/6-words-about-vampires/aspasia-s-bissas-book-covers/" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png?w=525" /></p><p></p><p> </p><h3 class="wp-block-heading">Love Lies Bleeding</h3>
<p>A novel about delusion, obsession, and blood.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35524549-love-lies-bleeding?fbclid=IwAR32XQzLKMMGesJFtb9-Gx02zCseb4ZP_7a8_ulDvqdt4NcxW5t0uYJk86M" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Love-Lies-Bleeding-Aspas%C3%ADa-Bissas-ebook/dp/B0731XNRS7/ref=sr_1_3?qid=1582908250&refinements=p_27%3AAspasia+S.+Bissas&s=digital-text&sr=1-3&text=Aspasia+S.+Bissas&fbclid=IwAR1cQ1SxV9Zs_3sA4-NAlJUlvh66QZ9XZpESTloIubKwwB1_qQLdwL68lb4" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Amazon</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/836190" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">DOWNLOAD HERE</a></p>
<p>Paperback available from <strong><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/4897/9781775012528" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Bookshop</a></strong>
– when you use this link, a portion of each sale goes directly to
independent bookstores, as well as to myself. (It’s also available on
most other online book sites.)</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading"> </h3><h3 class="wp-block-heading">Blood Magic</h3>
<p>Myth and magic collide in this story about choices, transformation, and retribution.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39896200-blood-magic" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Blood-Magic-Aspas%C3%ADa-S-Bissas-ebook/dp/B07CQ3SWR8/ref=sr_1_12?keywords=bissas&qid=1577748558&sr=8-12&fbclid=IwAR0eczjiaGUu3zzIY4MVtAYkB7-qCySzaO5YfcOXzMQRx-t6MVuug88-LnM" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Amazon</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/816146" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">DOWNLOAD FREE</a></p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading"> </h3><h3 class="wp-block-heading">Tooth & Claw</h3>
<p>A dark fantasy story about memory and delusion, violence and consequences; inspired by real events in Belle Époque France.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53060669-tooth-claw?fbclid=IwAR1P1mM7ZscWdDX0XgC-L-pl0ZYxu0RaCE1c8PAXL_t_MJHovELvpbsLR10" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Tooth-Claw-Aspasia-S-Bissas-ebook/dp/B07XK8MCHL/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=bissas+tooth+and+claw&qid=1588013736&sr=8-1&fbclid=IwAR2mC8Qs45A4SuXencf7fjTIKcF1XdShN-AjalieCPZy8ov6fFDq3jdJcD8&fbclid=IwAR1prI0JAvN-RVxs3-lPju2coRe-rNFvjLTu_Y3IL7q84f0xfIRuaK33bPg" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Amazon</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/957288" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">DOWNLOAD FREE</a></p>
<p></p>
<p> </p><p>Feel free to leave a rating/review on any other book sites too!</p>
<p>Thank you for supporting authors ♥</p>
<p>Cheers,</p>
<p>Aspasía S. Bissas</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img alt="" class="wp-image-5388" data-attachment-id="5388" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="image-2" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/02/image-2.png?w=72" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/02/image-2.png?w=72" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/02/image-2.png" data-orig-size="72,72" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/image-2-2/" height="20" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/02/image-2.png?w=72" width="20" /></figure><p></p>Aspasia Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903143756675674175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330673926964162519.post-82106380760367836382023-06-21T12:14:00.007-04:002023-06-21T12:14:52.917-04:00Happy Solstice!<p> </p><figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img alt="Happy Solstice! Blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com. Summer solstice, winter solstice, vampire, vampires, The Gates, Claire Radcliff, parasol, celebrate" class="wp-image-6447" data-attachment-id="6447" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="the-gates-1-7-digging-the-dirt" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2023/06/the-gates-1-7-digging-the-dirt.jpg?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2023/06/the-gates-1-7-digging-the-dirt.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2023/06/the-gates-1-7-digging-the-dirt.jpg" data-orig-size="624,351" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2023/06/21/happy-solstice-7/the-gates-1-7-digging-the-dirt/" height="351" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2023/06/the-gates-1-7-digging-the-dirt.jpg?w=624" width="598" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Claire Radcliff from <em>The Gates</em></figcaption></figure>
<p>Wishing you all a happy Solstice, no matter where you might be!</p>
<p>(Vampires and other sun-sensitive creatures– don’t forget your sunscreen and parasols… 🧛)</p>
<p>Cheers,</p>
<p>Aspasía S. Bissas</p>
<p>(PS: Reading is always a celebration! Download my <a href="https://aspasiasbissas.com/books" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">books</a> and get celebrating…)</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img alt="🧿" height="20" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/14.0/1f9ff/72.png" width="20" /></figure>Aspasia Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903143756675674175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330673926964162519.post-53790643487164623072023-05-26T17:40:00.000-04:002023-05-26T17:40:06.720-04:00World Dracula Day: 6 Places to Visit<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img alt="World Dracula Day: 6 Places to Visit, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com. Bram Stoker, Dracula, Whitby, Transylvania, Romania. vampires" class="wp-image-5674" data-attachment-id="5674" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="<p>Photo by Nichitean Dumitrita Veronica on <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/low-angle-shot-of-the-famous-bran-castle-in-romania-8656371/" rel="nofollow">Pexels.com</a></p>
" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="low angle shot of the famous bran castle in romania" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/pexels-photo-8656371.jpeg?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/pexels-photo-8656371.jpeg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/pexels-photo-8656371.jpeg" data-orig-size="1880,1253" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2022/05/26/world-dracula-day-6-places-to-visit/pexels-photo-8656371/" height="410" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/pexels-photo-8656371.jpeg" width="604" /><figcaption>Photo by Nichitean Dumitrita Veronica on <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/low-angle-shot-of-the-famous-bran-castle-in-romania-8656371/" rel="nofollow">Pexels.com</a></figcaption></figure>
<p>Close on the heels of World Goth Day comes World Dracula Day. It
might be sunny springtime where you live, but this is the week to ignore
the singing birds and blooming flowers, and channel your dark side (for
those of you who don’t already do that year round anyway). What better
way to immerse yourself in all things Dracula than by visiting the
places associated with the Count?</p>
<p>(Note: I won’t be including any sites that focus exclusively on Vlad
Dracul/Vlad the Impaler. While he has his own blood-soaked history, his
connection to Stoker’s Dracula, in my opinion at least, doesn’t go much
further than the name.)</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="http://www.bran-castle.com/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Bran Castle</a>, Transylvania</h3>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="World Dracula Day: 6 Places to Visit, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com. Bram Stoker, Dracula, Whitby, Transylvania, Romania. vampires, Bran castle" class="wp-image-5680" data-attachment-id="5680" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"3.5","credit":"","camera":"Canon EOS 550D","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1320255589","copyright":"Castelul Bran","focal_length":"18","iso":"400","shutter_speed":"0.0025","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="bran-castle-via-aspasia-s-bissas" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/bran-castle-via-aspasia-s-bissas.jpg?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/bran-castle-via-aspasia-s-bissas.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/bran-castle-via-aspasia-s-bissas.jpg" data-orig-size="1600,1067" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2022/05/26/world-dracula-day-6-places-to-visit/bran-castle-via-aspasia-s-bissas/" height="426" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/bran-castle-via-aspasia-s-bissas.jpg?w=1024" width="640" /></figure>
<p>The only castle in Transylvania that fits Stoker’s description, Bran
Castle is widely considered to be “Dracula’s castle.” If the beautiful
building and rich history aren’t enough for you, the castle regularly
offers special exhibitions. If the onsite restaurant is open when
you go, you can try the “Count’s Dessert” (chocolate cake with raspberry
sauce, fresh fruit, and rose petal powder).</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.hotelcoroanadeaur.ro/en/home/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">“Golden Crown” Hotel</a>, Transylvania</h3>
<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img alt="World Dracula Day: 6 Places to Visit, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com. Bram Stoker, Dracula, Whitby, Transylvania, Romania. vampires, Golden Crown, Coroana de Aur, Bistrita" class="wp-image-5681" data-attachment-id="5681" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="salon-jonathan-harker-golden-crown-hotel-via-aspasia-s.-bissas" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/salon-jonathan-harker-golden-crown-hotel-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg?w=435" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/salon-jonathan-harker-golden-crown-hotel-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/salon-jonathan-harker-golden-crown-hotel-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg" data-orig-size="435,300" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2022/05/26/world-dracula-day-6-places-to-visit/salon-jonathan-harker-golden-crown-hotel-via-aspasia-s-bissas/" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/salon-jonathan-harker-golden-crown-hotel-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg?w=435" /></figure></div>
<p>After Stoker published <em>Dracula</em>, tourists started showing up
in Transylvania. From the start they were looking to stay in the same
hotel that Jonathan Harker spent a night in (The Golden Crown). The
hotel didn’t exist, but some enterprising soul realized it would be a
great idea to build it. The Coroana de Aur (“Golden Crown” in Romanian)
hotel in Bistrita doesn’t have much in common with the inn Harker
stayed at, but there is a Jonathan Harker Salon at the restaurant. You
can also order authentic Mămăligă (polenta) like Harker ate. No word on
whether they also offer stuffed aubergines.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://draculaexperience.co.uk/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">The Dracula Experience, Whitby</a></h3>
<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img alt="World Dracula Day: 6 Places to Visit, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com. Bram Stoker, Dracula, Whitby, Transylvania, Romania. vampires, The Dracula Experience" class="wp-image-5683" data-attachment-id="5683" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="the-dracula-experience-whitby-via-aspasia-s.-bissas" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/the-dracula-experience-whitby-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.png?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/the-dracula-experience-whitby-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.png?w=219" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/the-dracula-experience-whitby-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.png" data-orig-size="1000,1369" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2022/05/26/world-dracula-day-6-places-to-visit/the-dracula-experience-whitby-via-aspasia-s-bissas/" height="508" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/the-dracula-experience-whitby-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.png?w=748" width="372" /></figure></div>
<p>Live actors and special effects tell the story of <em>Dracula </em>and
how the town of Whitby relates to it. The “Experience” has been
described as a story set in a haunted house, which is appropriate since
the building it’s in is apparently centuries old and haunted. To explore
the building’s ghost sightings and other paranormal activity, a
Paranormal Night takes place the first Saturday of every month (no
special effects here).</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Mary%27s_Church,_Whitby" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">St. Mary’s Churchyard</a> and <a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/whitby-abbey/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Whitby Abbey</a>, Whitby</h3>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="World Dracula Day: 6 Places to Visit, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com. Bram Stoker, Dracula, Whitby, Transylvania, Romania. vampires, St. Mary's, St. Mary's churchyard, Whitby Abbey, 199 steps" class="wp-image-5685" data-attachment-id="5685" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="st.-marys-churchyard-whitby-via-aspasia-s.-bissas" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/st.-marys-churchyard-whitby-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/st.-marys-churchyard-whitby-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/st.-marys-churchyard-whitby-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg" data-orig-size="818,500" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2022/05/26/world-dracula-day-6-places-to-visit/st-marys-churchyard-whitby-via-aspasia-s-bissas/" height="391" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/st.-marys-churchyard-whitby-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg?w=818" width="640" /></figure>
<p>The graveyard at St. Mary’s Church is the setting and inspiration for a number of scenes in <em>Dracula</em>.
Try to see how many of the character’s names you can find on the
gravestones (Stoker borrowed a few of them). On the way to the church,
you can climb the 199 steps that a black dog (Dracula in another form)
was seen running up in the book. </p>
<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img alt="" class="wp-image-5688" data-attachment-id="5688" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="<p><a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6254260" rel="nofollow">Whitby Abbey</a> by <a href="https://geograph.org.uk/profile/11776" rel="nofollow">Mat Fascione</a> is licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/" rel="nofollow">CC-BY-SA 2.0</a></p>
" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Whitby Abbey" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/6254260_b7b13fa3.jpg?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/6254260_b7b13fa3.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/6254260_b7b13fa3.jpg" data-orig-size="640,375" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2022/05/26/world-dracula-day-6-places-to-visit/6254260_b7b13fa3/" height="375" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/6254260_b7b13fa3.jpg" width="640" /><figcaption><a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6254260" rel="nofollow">Whitby Abbey</a> by <a href="https://geograph.org.uk/profile/11776" rel="nofollow">Mat Fascione</a> is licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/" rel="nofollow">CC-BY-SA 2.0</a></figcaption></figure></div>
<p>And while you’re there make sure to make the 100 metre (340 feet)
trek from St. Mary’s to Whitby Abbey, another source of Stoker’s
inspiration. Explore the ruins before checking out the on-site museum
and shop. The Abbey hosts all kinds of Dracula-themed events, so check the schedule before you go.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/1381/bram-stoker" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Bram Stoker’s Grave</a>, London</h3>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="World Dracula Day: 6 Places to Visit, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com. Bram Stoker, Dracula, Whitby, Transylvania, Romania. vampires, Bram Stoker's grave" class="wp-image-5691" data-attachment-id="5691" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="bram-stokers-grave-via-aspasia-s.-bissas" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/bram-stokers-grave-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/bram-stokers-grave-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/bram-stokers-grave-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg" data-orig-size="800,599" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2022/05/26/world-dracula-day-6-places-to-visit/bram-stokers-grave-via-aspasia-s-bissas/" height="479" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/bram-stokers-grave-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg?w=800" width="640" /></figure>
<p>If you’re in London, you can go pay your respects at the final
resting place of the man who brought the world Dracula. You do need to
book ahead because the building is kept locked. If you can’t make it
there in person, you can <a href="https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/1381/bram-stoker/flower" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">leave a virtual flower</a> in his honour.</p>
<p>These are just a few of the Dracula-related places to visit, and I
expect more will open as tourism eventually returns to normal. Do you
have a favourite Dracula-themed place or event? Share in the comments…</p>
<p>Don’t forget to give other vampires some love too– download my books today!</p><p><img alt="Aspasia S. Bissas books: Love Lies Bleeding, Blood Magic, Tooth & Claw, book, books, free book, free books, freebies, freebie, free ebook, free ebooks, vampire, vampires, dark fantasy, dark romance, historical fiction, gothic fiction, gothic fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, horror, dark reads, indie author, indie fiction, strong female protagonist, aspasiasbissas.com" class="wp-image-3823" data-attachment-id="3823" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="<p>Aspasia S. Bissas books: Love Lies Bleeding, Blood Magic, Tooth &amp; Claw</p>
" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Aspasia S. Bissas book covers" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png" data-orig-size="768,369" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2021/01/30/6-words-about-vampires/aspasia-s-bissas-book-covers/" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png?w=525" /> </p><p class="has-text-align-center" style="text-align: left;"><strong>Love Lies Bleeding:</strong> <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/836190" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-lies-bleeding-aspas-a-s-bissas/1126975412?ean=2940155299646" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/love-lies-bleeding-20" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/love-lies-bleeding/id1399829729" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a><br /><strong>FREE Blood Magic:</strong> <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/816146" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blood-magic-aspasia-bissas/1128513750?ean=2940155217077" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/blood-magic-24" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/blood-magic/id1373159635?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a><br /><strong>FREE Tooth & Claw:</strong> <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/957288" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tooth-claw-aspasia-s-bissas/1133399443?ean=2940163330331" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/tooth-claw-2" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/tooth-claw/id1479238761" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a></p><p> If you prefer paperback, use <a href="https://bookshop.org/books/love-lies-bleeding-9781775012528/9781775012528" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"><strong>this link</strong></a> to order<em> Love Lies Bleeding </em>from
Bookshop – a portion of each sale goes directly to independent
bookstores, as well as to myself. Thank you for supporting indie! ♥</p><p>Cheers,</p>
<p>Aspasía S. Bissas</p><p>[This was originally posted on my official site: <a href="http://AspasiaSBissas.com">AspasiaSBissas.com</a>] <br /></p>
<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"></figure><figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"></figure><figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"></figure><figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img alt="🧿" height="20" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/14.0/1f9ff/72.png" width="20" /></figure><p> </p>Aspasia Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903143756675674175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330673926964162519.post-55886891371479131932023-04-19T14:06:00.003-04:002023-04-19T14:06:28.260-04:00Literary Perfumes<p> </p><h1 class="entry-title">Literary Perfumes</h1>
<figure aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3781" class="wp-caption aligncenter" data-shortcode="caption" id="attachment_3781" style="width: 581px;"><img alt="Literary perfume, blog post, perfumes, aspasia s. bissas, scents, herbs, flowers, imaginary authors, love lies bleeding, blood magic, tooth & claw, vampire, vampires, aspasiasbissas.com" class="alignnone wp-image-3781" data-attachment-id="3781" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="<p>Photo by Dids on <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-perfume-bottle-1666404/" rel="nofollow">Pexels.com</a></p>
" data-image-description="<p>Literary Perfume, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas</p>
" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="photo of perfume bottle" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/pexels-photo-1666404.jpeg?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/pexels-photo-1666404.jpeg?w=225" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/pexels-photo-1666404.jpeg" data-orig-size="975,1300" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/pexels-photo-1666404/" height="542" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/pexels-photo-1666404.jpeg?w=581&h=775" width="475" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-3781">Photo by Dids on <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-perfume-bottle-1666404/" rel="nofollow">Pexels.com</a></figcaption></figure>
<p>A while back I read an <a href="https://electricliterature.com/8-literary-perfumes-for-book-lovers-who-want-to-smell-good-8efbf1e8cb74" rel="noopener" target="_blank">article</a>
about the connection between literature and perfume, which also
included suggestions for ideal perfumes for book lovers. As someone who
has a slight perfume obsession (reigning favourite: Vanilla Extreme by
Comptoir Sud Pacifique), I was intrigued. I especially liked the idea
behind the <a href="https://www.imaginaryauthors.com/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Imaginary Authors</a>
perfume company, whose scents are based on the fictional exploits of
made-up authors. But if perfume can be designed for fictional authors,
why not design a few for <i><a href="https://aspasiasbissas.com/books/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Love Lies Bleeding’s</a></i> characters?</p>
<p>Since main character <b>Mara</b> works with herbs and
plants, she’s essentially steeped in their scents without needing to
wear perfume. But if I were to create a perfume for her, it would have
strong notes of sweet woodruff (which smells like vanilla and hay),
clover, and lavender flowers, with hints of smoky peat and black tea.</p>
<p>For human <b>Lee</b>, I envision something fresh and
“green.” His scent would be based on cedar, with some kind of
complementary citrus (yuzu, or maybe tangerine), and the subtlest
undertones of honey and lavender leaves.</p>
<p>Lastly, I think a scent heavy on whisky and tobacco notes, with
something spicy like ginger or cloves, would suit vampire nemesis <b>Dominic</b>.
It would be the kind of scent that’s overwhelming in the wrong hands,
but Dominic probably wouldn’t wear it anyway, as it’s one of those
luxuries he doesn’t think vampires should indulge in.</p>
<p>What do you think– would you wear any of these scents? What perfume
would you design for your favourite character or author? Share in the
comments…</p>
<p>Want to find out more about Mara, Lee, and Dominic? Get my books!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><strike></strike></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strike></strike></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strike></strike></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strike></strike></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strike></strike></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strike></strike></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strike><img alt="Love Lies Bleeding by Aspasia S. Bissas, Blood Magic by Aspasia S. Bissas, Tooth &amp; Claw by Aspasia S. Bissas, books, free books, vampire, vampires, dark fantasy, gothic, urban fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, strong female protagonist, aspasiasbissas.com" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2735" data-attachment-id="2735" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="<p>Books by Aspasia S. Bissas: Love Lies Bleeding, Blood Magic, Tooth &amp; Claw</p>
" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Book covers website banner" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2020/06/book-covers-website-banner-2.png?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2020/06/book-covers-website-banner-2.png?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2020/06/book-covers-website-banner-2.png" data-orig-size="1350,650" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/home/book-covers-website-banner-3/" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2020/06/book-covers-website-banner-2.png?w=525" /></strike> <br /></p><div style="text-align: center;">Love Lies Bleeding: <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/836190" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-lies-bleeding-aspas-a-s-bissas/1126975412?ean=2940155299646" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/love-lies-bleeding-20" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/love-lies-bleeding/id1399829729" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a><br />
FREE Blood Magic: <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/816146" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blood-magic-aspasia-bissas/1128513750?ean=2940155217077" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/blood-magic-24" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/blood-magic/id1373159635?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a><br />
FREE Tooth & Claw: <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/957288" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tooth-claw-aspasia-s-bissas/1133399443?ean=2940163330331" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/tooth-claw-2" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/tooth-claw/id1479238761" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">If you prefer a good paperback to an ebook, use this link to order<em> Love Lies Bleeding </em>from <strong><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/4897/9781775012528" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Bookshop</a></strong> – a portion of each sale goes directly to independent bookstores, as well as to myself. Thank you for supporting indie! ♥</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><p style="text-align: left;">Cheers,</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Aspasía S. Bissas</p><p style="text-align: left;">[This was originally posted on my official site <a href="http://AspasiaSBissas.com">AspasiaSBissas.com</a>. Follow me there...] <br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"><figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img alt="🧿" height="20" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/14.0/1f9ff/72.png" width="20" /></figure></div><p style="text-align: left;"> </p> </div>Aspasia Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903143756675674175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330673926964162519.post-73762511079276434292023-04-05T11:42:00.000-04:002023-04-05T11:42:04.104-04:00Vampire’s Garden: Bleeding Tooth Fungus<p> </p><p><img alt="Vampire's Garden: Bleeding Tooth Fungus, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, bleeding fungus, devil's tooth, mushroom, mushrooms, bleeding mushroom, edible mushrooms, gross mushrooms, tripophobia, trypophobia, plants, botany, herbs, herbalism, vampire, vampires, aspasiasbissas.com" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-3541" data-attachment-id="3541" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="<p>Vampire’s Garden: Bleeding Tooth Fungus, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas</p>
" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="bleeding tooth fungus via aspasia s. bissas" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2020/11/bleeding-tooth-fungus-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2020/11/bleeding-tooth-fungus-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2020/11/bleeding-tooth-fungus-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg" data-orig-size="800,445" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2020/11/28/vampires-garden-bleeding-tooth-fungus/bleeding-tooth-fungus-via-aspasia-s-bissas/" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2020/11/bleeding-tooth-fungus-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg?w=525" /></p>
<p><a href="https://aspasiasbissas.com/books/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>Love Lies Bleeding‘s</em></a>
readers know that main character Mara is both a vampire and a botanist.
Trained when she was still human, she continues to study plants and
have a garden. This post is tenth in a series exploring Mara’s plants.
Are you interested in botany, gardening, or plant lore? So are some
vampires…</p>
<p>Please note: Medicinal uses are given for informational purposes
only. Always consult a medical professional before diagnosing or
treating yourself or anyone else.</p>
<p><strong>Botanical Name:</strong> <em>Hydnellum peckii</em></p>
<p><strong>Common Names:</strong> strawberries and cream, bleeding Hydnellum, bleeding fungus, red-juice tooth, devil’s tooth, Peck’s hydnum, bile tooth</p>
<p><strong>History:</strong> Found mainly in North America and Europe,
bleeding tooth fungus forms mutually beneficial relationships with
mature coniferous trees. Its spores are “on the surface of vertical
spines or tooth-like projections that hang from the undersurface of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basidiocarp" rel="noopener" target="_blank" title="Basidiocarp">fruit bodies</a>”
(1). As the fungus ages, it dries out, losing its bloody appearance and
becoming a nondescript shade of brown or black. Bleeding tooth fungus <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bioaccumulation" rel="noopener" target="_blank">bioaccumulates</a>
the heavy metal caesium. Although documented by humans for only about a
hundred years, bleeding tooth fungus’s roots (no pun intended) go back
hundreds of millions of years.</p>
<p><strong>Language of Flowers Meaning: </strong>None</p>
<p><strong>Cultivation:</strong> It prefers to grow in mature forested alpine and sub-alpine regions, so cultivating it isn’t really an option.</p>
<p><strong>Uses:</strong></p>
<p>Medicinal: Although scientists aren’t sure what the red substance
that oozes out of bleeding tooth fungus is exactly, they have found that
it contains a pigment with anticoagulant and antibacterial properties.
It also contains another substance that may be beneficial in treating
Alzheimer’s disease. It is currently undergoing trials to determine its
potential medical uses.</p>
<p>Culinary: It’s technically edible (in that it isn’t poisonous), with a
peppery and strongly bitter taste that doesn’t go away even when dried.
While it can be eaten, whether anyone actually wants to eat it is
another matter.</p>
<p>Dye: The dried fungus produces a beige or tan dye. It can also be combined with iron or alum for shades of blue and green.</p>
<p><strong>Mara’s Uses:</strong> Mara mentions it in <a href="https://aspasiasbissas.com/books" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><em>Love Lies Bleeding</em></a> as a potentially useful plant she needs to learn more about.</p>
<p>(1) <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydnellum_peckii" rel="nofollow">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydnellum_peckii</a></p>
<p><strong>Further Reading</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Love Lies Bleeding by Aspasia S. Bissas, Blood Magic by Aspasia S. Bissas, Tooth &amp; Claw by Aspasia S. Bissas, books, free books, vampire, vampires, dark fantasy, gothic, urban fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, strong female protagonist, aspasiasbissas.com" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2735" data-attachment-id="2735" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="<p>Books by Aspasia S. Bissas: Love Lies Bleeding, Blood Magic, Tooth &amp; Claw</p>
" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Book covers website banner" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2020/06/book-covers-website-banner-2.png?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2020/06/book-covers-website-banner-2.png?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2020/06/book-covers-website-banner-2.png" data-orig-size="1350,650" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/home/book-covers-website-banner-3/" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2020/06/book-covers-website-banner-2.png?w=525" /><strong> </strong></p><p style="text-align: center;">Love Lies Bleeding: <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/836190" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-lies-bleeding-aspas-a-s-bissas/1126975412?ean=2940155299646" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/love-lies-bleeding-20" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/love-lies-bleeding/id1399829729" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a><br />
FREE Blood Magic: <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/816146" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blood-magic-aspasia-bissas/1128513750?ean=2940155217077" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/blood-magic-24" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/blood-magic/id1373159635?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a><br />
FREE Tooth & Claw: <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/957288" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tooth-claw-aspasia-s-bissas/1133399443?ean=2940163330331" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/tooth-claw-2" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/tooth-claw/id1479238761" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a></p>
<p class="has-text-align-center">If you prefer a good paperback to an ebook, use this link to order<em> Love Lies Bleeding </em>from <strong><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/4897/9781775012528" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Bookshop</a></strong> – a portion of each sale goes directly to independent bookstores, as well as to myself. Thank you for supporting indie! ♥</p><p><a href="https://www.vancouverisawesome.com/outdoors/bloody-tooth-fungus-vancouver-1946369" rel="noopener" target="_blank">This bizarre B.C. mushroom looks like a tooth oozing thick red blood</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/fungus-lichen/is-bleeding-tooth-fungus-safe.htm" rel="noopener" target="_blank">What is bleeding tooth fungus?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.forestfloornarrative.com/blog/2018/8/3/fungi-friday-the-bleeding-tooth-fungus-hydnellum-peckii" rel="noopener" target="_blank">The Bleeding Tooth Fungus (Hydnellum peckii)</a></p>
<p><a href="https://ultimate-mushroom.com/edible/55-hydnellum-peckii.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Hydnellum peckii: The Ultimate Mushroom Guide</a></p>
<p><a href="http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/f2012/deflorin_patr/mushroom_dying.htm" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Mushroom Dyeing</a></p>
<p><a href="http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/f2012/deflorin_patr/spooky_story.htm" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Spooky Story</a></p>
<p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydnellum_peckii" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a></p>
<p> </p><p>Cheers,</p>
<p>Aspasía S. Bissas</p><p>[Originally posted on my official site: <a href="http://AspasiaSBissas.com">AspasiaSBissas.com</a>] <br /></p><p class="has-text-align-center"> </p><p><strong> </strong></p>Aspasia Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903143756675674175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330673926964162519.post-32165711671279836222023-03-28T17:52:00.002-04:002023-03-28T17:52:08.767-04:00Quote of the Day<p><br /></p><p><a href="https://aspasiasbissas.com/books" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img alt="Book Quote, blog post, Aspasia S. Bissas, short story, free book, free books, book, books, free ebook, free ebooks, ebook, ebooks, freebie, freebies, quote, quotes, book quote, book quotes, tooth and claw, tooth & claw, fangs, vampire, vampires, read more, aspasiabissas.com" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-3368" data-attachment-id="3368" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="<p>Book Quote, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas</p>
" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="Quote 1 Tooth and Claw by Aspasia S. Bissas jpeg" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2020/10/quote-1-tooth-and-claw-by-aspasia-s.-bissas-jpeg.jpg?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2020/10/quote-1-tooth-and-claw-by-aspasia-s.-bissas-jpeg.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2020/10/quote-1-tooth-and-claw-by-aspasia-s.-bissas-jpeg.jpg" data-orig-size="940,788" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/quote-1-tooth-and-claw-by-aspasia-s-bissas-jpeg/" height="537" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2020/10/quote-1-tooth-and-claw-by-aspasia-s.-bissas-jpeg.jpg" width="640" /></a></p>
<p> </p><p>Have you read and enjoyed any of my books? If so, please leave a rating and/or review!</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em> </em></h3><h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Tooth & Claw</em></h3>
<p><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53060669-tooth-claw?fbclid=IwAR1P1mM7ZscWdDX0XgC-L-pl0ZYxu0RaCE1c8PAXL_t_MJHovELvpbsLR10" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Tooth-Claw-Aspasia-S-Bissas-ebook/dp/B07XK8MCHL/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=bissas+tooth+and+claw&qid=1588013736&sr=8-1&fbclid=IwAR2mC8Qs45A4SuXencf7fjTIKcF1XdShN-AjalieCPZy8ov6fFDq3jdJcD8&fbclid=IwAR1prI0JAvN-RVxs3-lPju2coRe-rNFvjLTu_Y3IL7q84f0xfIRuaK33bPg" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Amazon</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/957288" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Download FREE</a></p>
<p></p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em> </em></h3><h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Love Lies Bleeding</em></h3>
<p><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35524549-love-lies-bleeding?fbclid=IwAR32XQzLKMMGesJFtb9-Gx02zCseb4ZP_7a8_ulDvqdt4NcxW5t0uYJk86M" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Love-Lies-Bleeding-Aspas%C3%ADa-Bissas-ebook/dp/B0731XNRS7/ref=sr_1_3?qid=1582908250&refinements=p_27%3AAspasia+S.+Bissas&s=digital-text&sr=1-3&text=Aspasia+S.+Bissas&fbclid=IwAR1cQ1SxV9Zs_3sA4-NAlJUlvh66QZ9XZpESTloIubKwwB1_qQLdwL68lb4" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Amazon</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/836190" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Download</a></p>
<p><a href="https://bookshop.org/books/love-lies-bleeding-9781775012528/9781775012528" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Order Paperback</a> (When you use this link, a portion of each sale goes directly to independent bookstores, as well as to myself.)</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em> </em></h3><h3 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Blood Magic</em></h3>
<p><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39896200-blood-magic" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Blood-Magic-Aspas%C3%ADa-S-Bissas-ebook/dp/B07CQ3SWR8/ref=sr_1_12?keywords=bissas&qid=1577748558&sr=8-12&fbclid=IwAR0eczjiaGUu3zzIY4MVtAYkB7-qCySzaO5YfcOXzMQRx-t6MVuug88-LnM" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Amazon</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/816146" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Download FREE</a></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p> </p><p>Feel free to leave a rating/review on any other book sites too!</p>
<p>Thanks for supporting authors ♥</p>
<p> </p><p>Cheers,</p>
<p>Aspasía S. Bissas</p>Aspasia Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903143756675674175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330673926964162519.post-39704784847987921342023-02-22T16:04:00.005-05:002023-02-22T16:04:33.576-05:00Controversial Characters: Buffy’s Dawn vs. Angel’s Connor<p><br /></p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="" class="wp-image-5917" data-attachment-id="5917" data-comments-opened="1" data-gallery-src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/09/dawn-summers-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg?w=1400&h=" data-id="5917" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="dawn-summers-via-aspasia-s.-bissas" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/09/dawn-summers-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/09/dawn-summers-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg?w=158" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/09/dawn-summers-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg" data-orig-size="630,1200" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2022/11/05/controversial-characters-buffys-dawn-vs-angels-connor/dawn-summers-via-aspasia-s-bissas/" height="506" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/09/dawn-summers-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg?w=538" width="266" /><figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="Controversial Characters: Buffy's Dawn vs. Angel's Connor, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com. Vampire, Vampires, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, BtVS, Angel, Angel the Series," class="wp-image-5919" data-attachment-id="5919" data-comments-opened="1" data-gallery-src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/09/connor-from-angel-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.png?w=1400&h=" data-id="5919" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="connor-from-angel-via-aspasia-s.-bissas" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/09/connor-from-angel-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.png?w=334" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/09/connor-from-angel-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.png?w=200" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/09/connor-from-angel-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.png" data-orig-size="334,500" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2022/11/05/controversial-characters-buffys-dawn-vs-angels-connor/connor-from-angel-via-aspasia-s-bissas/" height="367" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/09/connor-from-angel-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.png?w=334" width="245" /></figure></figure>
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<h5 class="wp-block-heading">SPOILERS AHEAD</h5>
<p>Whenever a show has a devoted fandom there’s always going to be
something that, right or wrong, the fans aren’t happy about. The big
controversies on <i>Buffy</i> and <i>Angel </i>were the late
additions of two new characters, namely Dawn and Connor. Now that I’m
re-watching both shows, I’m looking at both characters with fresh eyes,
wondering whether they deserved the hate.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Dawn</h3>
<p>Dawn was introduced at the end of the first episode of Season 5. “<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0533404/?ref_=ttep_ep1" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Buffy vs. Dracula</a>”
(a great episode, by the way). Her introduction was really well done,
first with hints and foreshadowing going back as far as Season 3, then
with her unexpected appearance in the episode. After years of being an
only child, Buffy suddenly has a sister, and everyone acts as though
she’s always been there.</p>
<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img alt="Controversial Characters: Buffy's Dawn vs. Angel's Connor, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com. Vampire, Vampires, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, BtVS, Angel, Angel the Series, Buffy gif huh" class="wp-image-5926" data-attachment-id="5926" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="buffy-sarah-michelle-gellar.-huh-via-aspasia-s.-bissas" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/09/buffy-sarah-michelle-gellar.-huh-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.gif?w=498" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/09/buffy-sarah-michelle-gellar.-huh-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.gif?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/09/buffy-sarah-michelle-gellar.-huh-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.gif" data-orig-size="498,358" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2022/11/05/controversial-characters-buffys-dawn-vs-angels-connor/buffy-sarah-michelle-gellar-huh-via-aspasia-s-bissas/" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/09/buffy-sarah-michelle-gellar.-huh-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.gif?w=498" /></figure></div>
<p>After some perfunctory hinting that Dawn is this season’s Big Bad, it
comes out that she’s actually a mystical, dimension-unlocking Key, put
into human form by some monks with too much time on their hands, and
given to the Slayer as a sister for protection from the Hell God
(Glorificus/Glory), who needs the Key to get back to her hell dimension
before her window of opportunity closes. Got all that?</p>
<p>Yeah, it’s a lot.</p>
<p>I really believe all the planning around Dawn went into the
character’s concept, and very little into the execution. Dawn is
supposed to be fourteen when she shows up, but she’s written like she’s
eight. It’s both painful and annoying to watch this teenager smiling
with her mouth plastered in ice cream. Or interrupting Buffy’s training
sessions because she’s “bored.” Or threatening to tell their mom that
Buffy slayed in front of her. At fifteen, Buffy, Willow, and Xander were
fighting monsters, trading quips, and hanging out at the Bronze. Their
characters were funny and interesting. But somehow at fourteen Dawn is
too young to be left alone without a babysitter.</p>
<p>And yet by season six Dawn manages to get worse, alternating between
whining that no one spends time with her, and screeching for everyone to
get out of her room. Maybe this is a realistic portrayal of teenagers
(I have my doubts), but nobody watches TV for realism. If we’re supposed
to sympathize with Dawn, the writers made it really difficult,
especially when she shows no empathy for what anyone else is going
through.</p>
<p>(I want to add that none of this is the fault of Michelle
Trachtenberg, the actress who played Dawn. She did a decent job, but
just didn’t have much to work with.)</p>
<p>By the seventh and final season, Dawn’s over her annoying phase, and
even proves herself useful and capable– but she also fades into the
background. Season five was supposed to be the show’s last season, but
since it ended up extended for another two years, I don’t think they
really knew what to do with her once she was no longer The Key. Overall,
I think the Dawn character had a lot of room for improvement, and the
writers/producers repeatedly dropped the ball. The show could have been
just as good, or better, without Dawn.</p>
<p>Also, she killed <a href="https://buffy.fandom.com/wiki/Miss_Kitty_Fantastico" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Miss Kitty Fantastico</a>.</p>
<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img alt="Controversial Characters: Buffy's Dawn vs. Angel's Connor, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com. Vampire, Vampires, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, BtVS, Angel, Angel the Series, Angel and Darla" class="wp-image-5991" data-attachment-id="5991" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="angel-and-darla-via-aspasia-s.-bissas" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/11/angel-and-darla-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg?w=300" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/11/angel-and-darla-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/11/angel-and-darla-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg" data-orig-size="300,171" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2022/11/05/controversial-characters-buffys-dawn-vs-angels-connor/angel-and-darla-via-aspasia-s-bissas/" height="247" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/11/angel-and-darla-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg?w=300" width="432" /></figure></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Connor</h3>
<p>Connor’s origin story begins in season 3, and is almost as convoluted
as Dawn’s. When two vampires hate each other very much (after spending
centuries together as a couple), and unknown forces conspire to get them
back together for a night, sometimes the mommy vampire finds herself
nine months later going into labour in a back alley, where she finally
just stakes herself to get the whole thing over with.</p>
<p>Connor is the human-ish son of Angel and Darla, both vampires, one
with a soul. His existence is cause for much excitement, mostly by
nefarious cabals who generally want to kill the kid. Despite Angel and
co.’s best efforts to protect baby Connor, he ends up in the hands of
Angel’s longtime enemy, a vampire hunter named Holtz. Stuck between
letting Holtz take the baby or watching Connor fall into the hands of
those who will definitely kill him, Angel chooses the lesser of two
evils. Holtz escapes with the baby by jumping through a portal to the
darkest hell dimension: Quor’toth. The portal is then sealed behind them
with no way to open it.</p>
<p>Angel tries to get Connor back, but realizes it’s impossible. Once
Angel accepts that he’ll never see his son again (it takes only a few
days, apparently), another portal opens and out comes an armed teenager
wearing a skin suit and trophies made of body parts. I’m not gonna lie–
it’s pretty epic.</p>
<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img alt="Controversial Characters: Buffy's Dawn vs. Angel's Connor, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com. Vampire, Vampires, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, BtVS, Angel, Angel the Series, Connor hi dad" class="wp-image-5992" data-attachment-id="5992" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="hi-dad-connor-back-from-quortoth-angel-the-series-via-aspasia-s.-bissas." data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/11/hi-dad-connor-back-from-quortoth-angel-the-series-via-aspasia-s.-bissas..png?w=299" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/11/hi-dad-connor-back-from-quortoth-angel-the-series-via-aspasia-s.-bissas..png?w=299" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/11/hi-dad-connor-back-from-quortoth-angel-the-series-via-aspasia-s.-bissas..png" data-orig-size="299,187" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2022/11/05/controversial-characters-buffys-dawn-vs-angels-connor/hi-dad-connor-back-from-quortoth-angel-the-series-via-aspasia-s-bissas/" height="218" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/11/hi-dad-connor-back-from-quortoth-angel-the-series-via-aspasia-s.-bissas..png?w=299" width="349" /></figure></div>
<p>We soon find out that not only did Connor survive Quor’toth, but he
can kick some serious ass. Besides impressive fighting skills, he has
super speed and strength. He can easily jump on a moving bus and he’s
got a vampire’s sensitive hearing (but none of the drawbacks, like a
need to consume blood or intolerance to sunlight). </p>
<p>I thought he was an excellent addition to the show, but a lot of
people disagreed. Connor was so hated by some fans that when rumours
started about bringing <a href="https://buffy.fandom.com/wiki/Spike" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Spike</a> to <i>Angel</i>,
people started urging (there may have been a petition– I can’t
remember) the producers to kill off Connor and bring on Spike. Note:
none of the characters actually had to die to add Spike to the cast. It
should also be noted that the dislike of Connor spilled over into people
specifically targetting Vincent Kartheiser, who played Connor. The
actor did an awesome job and deserved none of what was directed at him.
This is why fandoms have a bad reputation.</p>
<p>I never understood why people found Connor annoying. Yes, the
character did a lot of questionable– and some downright wrong– things
(same as pretty much all the other characters, I might add). What haters
didn’t seem to get (or care about) is that Connor is a deeply
traumatized kid. He was raised in a hell dimension, by a man who
(rightfully) hated his father and manipulated him into wanting to kill
Angel. And that’s only the start of what Connor went through. He’s a
tragic character who manages to never be boring. He also undergoes a
fair bit of character development, and a redemption that continues in
the comic books (meanwhile Dawn in the comic books goes back to being
annoying, but with added recklessness). Watching these episodes again,
I’m finding I like and sympathize with Connor even more now. It’s too
bad he was hated– he could have pulled off his own show.</p>
<p>In the end, my opinion on these characters hasn’t really changed. Dawn didn’t improve <i>Buffy</i>,
even though her initial season included one of the best villains ever.
Meanwhile, Connor, despite having one of the cringiest storylines (him +
Cordy = ew), was a great character and a solid addition to <i>Angel</i>. But what did you think of Dawn and Connor? Share in the comments…</p>
<p>Can’t get enough vampires? Download my books now:</p>
<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img alt="Aspasia S. Bissas books: Love Lies Bleeding, Blood Magic, Tooth & Claw, book, books, free book, free books, freebies, freebie, free ebook, free ebooks, vampire, vampires, dark fantasy, dark romance, historical fiction, gothic fiction, gothic fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, horror, dark reads, indie author, indie fiction, strong female protagonist, aspasiasbissas.com" class="wp-image-3823" data-attachment-id="3823" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="<p>Aspasia S. Bissas books: Love Lies Bleeding, Blood Magic, Tooth &amp; Claw</p>
" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Aspasia S. Bissas book covers" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png" data-orig-size="768,369" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2021/01/30/6-words-about-vampires/aspasia-s-bissas-book-covers/" height="252" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png?w=525" width="524" /></figure></div>
<p class="has-text-align-center" style="text-align: center;"><i>Love Lies Bleeding:</i> <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/836190" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-lies-bleeding-aspas-a-s-bissas/1126975412?ean=2940155299646" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/love-lies-bleeding-20" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/love-lies-bleeding/id1399829729" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Love-Lies-Bleeding-Aspas%C3%ADa-Bissas-ebook/dp/B0731XNRS7/ref=sr_1_8?dchild=1&keywords=bissas&qid=1595606996&sr=8-8" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Amazon</a><br />FREE <i>Blood Magic:</i> <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/816146" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blood-magic-aspasia-bissas/1128513750?ean=2940155217077" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/blood-magic-24" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/blood-magic/id1373159635?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a><br />FREE <i>Tooth & Claw:</i> <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/957288" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tooth-claw-aspasia-s-bissas/1133399443?ean=2940163330331" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/tooth-claw-2" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/tooth-claw/id1479238761" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a></p>
<p class="has-text-align-center">If you prefer paperback, use <a href="https://bookshop.org/books/love-lies-bleeding-9781775012528/9781775012528" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"><b>this link</b></a> to order<i> Love Lies Bleeding </i>from
Bookshop – a portion of each sale goes directly to independent
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<p>Cheers,</p>
<p>Aspasía S. Bissas</p><p>[Originally posted on my official site: <a href="http://AspasiaSBissas.com">AspasiaSBissas.com</a>] <br /></p>
<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"></figure><figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"></figure><figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"></figure><figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"></figure><figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img alt="🧿" height="20" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/14.0/1f9ff/72.png" width="20" /></figure></div>Aspasia Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903143756675674175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330673926964162519.post-69253015196952373132023-02-14T17:59:00.002-05:002023-02-14T17:59:21.540-05:003 Vampires with a Chance at Love<p> </p><div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img alt="3 Vampire with a Chance at Love, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com. Mick St. john and Beth Turner, Moonlight, Jessica and Hoyt, True Blood, Hal and Alex, Being Human, Valentine's Day" class="wp-image-6156" data-attachment-id="6156" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="<p>Love symbol, heart, valentine photo, free public domain CC0 image.</p>
" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"rawpixel.com","camera":"","caption":"Love symbol, heart, valentine photo, free public domain CC0 image.","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"Love symbol, heart, valentine photo, free public domain CC0 image.","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="Love symbol, heart, valentine photo" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2023/02/cznmcy1wcml2yxrll3jhd3bpegvsx2ltywdlcy93zwjzaxrlx2nvbnrlbnqvbhivchgxmjy3ody1lwltywdllwt3dnkzzjzslmpwzw.jpg?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2023/02/cznmcy1wcml2yxrll3jhd3bpegvsx2ltywdlcy93zwjzaxrlx2nvbnrlbnqvbhivchgxmjy3ody1lwltywdllwt3dnkzzjzslmpwzw.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2023/02/cznmcy1wcml2yxrll3jhd3bpegvsx2ltywdlcy93zwjzaxrlx2nvbnrlbnqvbhivchgxmjy3ody1lwltywdllwt3dnkzzjzslmpwzw.jpg" data-orig-size="1300,867" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2023/02/14/3-vampires-with-a-chance-at-love-2/love-symbol-heart-valentine-photo-free-public-domain-cc0-image/" height="386" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2023/02/cznmcy1wcml2yxrll3jhd3bpegvsx2ltywdlcy93zwjzaxrlx2nvbnrlbnqvbhivchgxmjy3ody1lwltywdllwt3dnkzzjzslmpwzw.jpg" width="579" /></figure></div>
<p>True love is a forever thing– especially for vampires. Or it can be,
anyway. These TV couples’ stories left us wondering, but I’d like to
believe they got their happily ever after. Here are three vampires who
were (probably) lucky in love…</p>
<h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="spoilers-ahead">Spoilers Ahead</h5>
<p></p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="3 Vampire with a Chance at Love, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com. Mick St. john and Beth Turner, Moonlight, Jessica and Hoyt, True Blood, Hal and Alex, Being Human, Valentine's Day" class="wp-image-5352" data-attachment-id="5352" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="mick-st.-john-and-beth-turner-moonlight-aspasia-s.-bissas" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/02/mick-st.-john-and-beth-turner-moonlight-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/02/mick-st.-john-and-beth-turner-moonlight-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/02/mick-st.-john-and-beth-turner-moonlight-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg" data-orig-size="850,542" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/mick-st-john-and-beth-turner-moonlight-aspasia-s-bissas/" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/02/mick-st.-john-and-beth-turner-moonlight-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg?w=850" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Mick St. John and Beth Turner, <i>Moonlight</i></figcaption></figure>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Mick and Beth, <i>Moonlight</i></h3>
<p>Mick (vampire) and Beth (human) have a complicated relationship. Beth
has a boyfriend and Mick saved Beth’s life as a child and has been
keeping tabs on her ever since. It’s a tale as old as time. But as the
show goes on, their feelings for each other grow and turn into something
else (and just as complicated). There’s a lot of back and forth about
whether a vampire-human relationship could even work, and when the
series was cancelled it ended ambiguously on a kiss between Mick and
Beth. These two have a real connection, even if their fears cloud their
feelings at times, so I think they have a solid chance to make it work.
The show hinted at the potential for a vampire cure, so Mick could
eventually become human. He could also turn Beth. Love finds (fangs?) a
way.</p>
<p>Is this love?: 8/10</p>
<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img alt="3 Vampire with a Chance at Love, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com. Mick St. john and Beth Turner, Moonlight, Jessica and Hoyt, True Blood, Hal and Alex, Being Human, Valentine's Day" class="wp-image-5356" data-attachment-id="5356" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="jessica-and-hoyt-true-blood-via-aspasia-s-bissas" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/02/jessica-and-hoyt-true-blood-via-aspasia-s-bissas.jpg?w=361" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/02/jessica-and-hoyt-true-blood-via-aspasia-s-bissas.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/02/jessica-and-hoyt-true-blood-via-aspasia-s-bissas.jpg" data-orig-size="361,243" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/jessica-and-hoyt-true-blood-via-aspasia-s-bissas/" height="279" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/02/jessica-and-hoyt-true-blood-via-aspasia-s-bissas.jpg?w=361" width="414" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Jessica and Hoyt, <i>True Blood</i></figcaption></figure></div>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="jessica-and-hoyt-true-blood">Jessica and Hoyt, <i>True Blood</i></h3>
<p>Although it might not seem like it, Jessica (vampire) and Hoyt
(human) have a lot in common. Both had traumatic childhoods with
domineering, manipulative parents. Both have quieter, somewhat
innocent/naive personalities with rebellious sides. Both also have to
cope with situations they have no control over, and neither really knows
where they fit into the world. When they meet each other, it’s love at
first sight. They did try to make it work for a while, but there were
too many things working against them, including Hoyt’s mother and
Jessica’s vampire nature. Their breakup was both inevitable and
necessary, giving them a chance to figure out who they were. They
eventually reunite, and even though we don’t get to see how their life
together plays out, chances are they make it work (at least, they’d
better make it work after all the screen time the producers devoted to
their wedding in the series finale).</p>
<p>Is this love?: 9/10</p>
<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img alt="3 Vampire with a Chance at Love, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com. Mick St. john and Beth Turner, Moonlight, Jessica and Hoyt, True Blood, Hal and Alex, Being Human, Valentine's Day" class="wp-image-5359" data-attachment-id="5359" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="hal-and-alex-being-human-via-aspasia-s.-bissaa" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/02/hal-and-alex-being-human-via-aspasia-s.-bissaa.gif?w=245" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/02/hal-and-alex-being-human-via-aspasia-s.-bissaa.gif?w=245" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/02/hal-and-alex-being-human-via-aspasia-s.-bissaa.gif" data-orig-size="245,165" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/hal-and-alex-being-human-via-aspasia-s-bissaa/" height="271" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/02/hal-and-alex-being-human-via-aspasia-s.-bissaa.gif?w=245" width="402" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Alex and Hal, <i>Being Human</i></figcaption></figure></div>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="hal-and-alex-being-human">Hal and Alex, <i>Being Human</i></h3>
<p>Okay, this one might be cheating since both characters are human by
the end of the series, but sparks started flying while Hal was a
vampire, so I’m counting it. Although both are attracted to each other,
their budding relationship is cut short when another vampire takes it
upon himself to kill Alex (and then gives her blood to an unsuspecting
Hal to drink). Hal is horrified at what’s happened, and when he finds
out Alex is still around in ghost form, he promises to get revenge for
her murder. With nowhere else to go and few people to talk to (thanks to
being invisible to humans) Alex ends up moving in with Hal. Their
opposing personalities make them something of an odd couple: Hal is
precise, compulsive, and terrified of losing control; while Alex is
carefree, no-nonsense, and takes things as they come. But the real
hindrance to a relationship is that one of them is incorporeal (and it
doesn’t help that the other one is constantly fighting his blood lust).
The series (officially) concludes with an interesting twist that has all
supernatural beings become human again, finally giving Hal and Alex a
real chance at a life together.</p>
<p>Is this love?: 8/10</p>
<p>What other vampires have a shot at love? Share your thoughts in the comments…</p>
<p>Want more vampires in love (and otherwise)? Get my books!</p>
<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img alt="Aspasia S. Bissas books: Love Lies Bleeding, Blood Magic, Tooth & Claw, book, books, free book, free books, freebies, freebie, free ebook, free ebooks, vampire, vampires, dark fantasy, dark romance, historical fiction, gothic fiction, gothic fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, horror, dark reads, indie author, indie fiction, strong female protagonist, aspasiasbissas.com" class="wp-image-3823" data-attachment-id="3823" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="<p>Aspasia S. Bissas books: Love Lies Bleeding, Blood Magic, Tooth &amp; Claw</p>
" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Aspasia S. Bissas book covers" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png" data-orig-size="768,369" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2021/01/30/6-words-about-vampires/aspasia-s-bissas-book-covers/" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png?w=525" /></figure></div>
<p class="has-text-align-center">Love Lies Bleeding: <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/836190" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-lies-bleeding-aspas-a-s-bissas/1126975412?ean=2940155299646" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/love-lies-bleeding-20" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/love-lies-bleeding/id1399829729" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a><br />FREE Blood Magic: <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/816146" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blood-magic-aspasia-bissas/1128513750?ean=2940155217077" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/blood-magic-24" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/blood-magic/id1373159635?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a><br />FREE Tooth & Claw: <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/957288" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tooth-claw-aspasia-s-bissas/1133399443?ean=2940163330331" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/tooth-claw-2" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/tooth-claw/id1479238761" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a></p>
<p class="has-text-align-center">If you prefer paperback, use <a href="https://bookshop.org/books/love-lies-bleeding-9781775012528/9781775012528" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"><b>this link</b></a> to order<i> Love Lies Bleeding </i>from
Bookshop – a portion of each sale goes directly to independent
bookstores, as well as to myself. Thank you for supporting indie! ♥</p>
<p>Cheers,</p>
<p>Aspasía S. Bissas</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"></figure><figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"></figure><figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"></figure><figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"></figure><figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"></figure><figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"></figure><figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"></figure><figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"></figure><figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"></figure><figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"></figure><figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"></figure><figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img alt="🧿" height="21" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/14.0/1f9ff/72.png" width="20" /></figure>
Originally posted on my official site: <a href="http://AspasiaSBissas.com">AspasiaSBissas.com</a>Aspasia Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903143756675674175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330673926964162519.post-50197594492761667452022-12-16T14:30:00.000-05:002022-12-16T14:30:22.194-05:00End of the Year Book Sale<p> </p><div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img alt="" class="wp-image-5136" data-attachment-id="5136" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="love-lies-bleeding-ebook-sale-end-of-year-aspasia-s.-bissas" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/12/love-lies-bleeding-ebook-sale-end-of-year-aspasia-s.-bissas.png?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/12/love-lies-bleeding-ebook-sale-end-of-year-aspasia-s.-bissas.png?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/12/love-lies-bleeding-ebook-sale-end-of-year-aspasia-s.-bissas.png" data-orig-size="940,788" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/love-lies-bleeding-ebook-sale-end-of-year-aspasia-s-bissas/" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/12/love-lies-bleeding-ebook-sale-end-of-year-aspasia-s.-bissas.png?w=525" /></figure></div>
<p>It’s that time of year again– the Smashwords end-of-year e-book sale has begun! Get <em><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/836190" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Love Lies Bleeding</a></em> for 25% off (and as usual, <em><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/816146" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Blood Magic</a></em> and <em><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/957288" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Tooth & Claw</a></em>
are free)! The holidays are a great time to catch up on your reading
(or maybe even complete a challenge). Download my books and get started
right now….</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="get-love-lies-bleeding-half-off"><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/836190" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Get LOVE LIES BLEEDING 25% Off</a></h3>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="get-blood-magic-free"><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/816146" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Get Blood Magic FREE</a></h3>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="get-tooth-claw-free"><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/957288" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Get Tooth & Claw FREE</a></h3>
<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img alt="End of the Year Book Sale, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com. Smashwords, books, ebooks, book sale, free books, winter, holidays, reading challenge" class="wp-image-6080" data-attachment-id="6080" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="<p>Photo by Perfecto Capucine on <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-holding-black-e-book-reader-near-pile-of-firewood-1475272/" rel="nofollow">Pexels.com</a></p>
" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="person holding black e book reader near pile of firewood" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/12/pexels-photo-1475272-1.jpeg?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/12/pexels-photo-1475272-1.jpeg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/12/pexels-photo-1475272-1.jpeg" data-orig-size="1880,1253" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2022/12/15/end-of-the-year-book-sale/pexels-photo-1475272-1/" height="269" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/12/pexels-photo-1475272-1.jpeg" width="405" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo by Perfecto Capucine on <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-holding-black-e-book-reader-near-pile-of-firewood-1475272/" rel="nofollow">Pexels.com</a></figcaption></figure></div>
<p> </p><p>Happy Reading!</p>
<p>Aspasía S. Bissas</p>
<p>(PS: The sale ends 1 January 2023)</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img alt="🧿" height="20" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/14.0/1f9ff/72.png" width="20" /></figure>Aspasia Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903143756675674175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330673926964162519.post-31355302935852407552022-11-30T13:00:00.005-05:002022-11-30T13:02:04.982-05:00A Further 5 Vampires You May Not Have Heard Of<p><br /></p><figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><strike><img alt="A Further 5 Vampires You May Not Have Heard Of, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com. Vampire, vampires, Krasue, penanggalan, manananggal, sasabonsam, asanbonsam, pricolici, vrykolakas" class="wp-image-5394" data-attachment-id="5394" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="<p>Photo by cottonbro on <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/food-man-love-people-6844180/" rel="nofollow">Pexels.com</a></p>
" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="food man love people" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/02/pexels-photo-6844180.jpeg?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/02/pexels-photo-6844180.jpeg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/02/pexels-photo-6844180.jpeg" data-orig-size="1880,1253" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2022/03/05/a-further-5-vampires-you-may-not-have-heard-of/pexels-photo-6844180/" height="392" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/02/pexels-photo-6844180.jpeg" width="588" /></strike><figcaption>Photo by cottonbro on <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/food-man-love-people-6844180/" rel="nofollow">Pexels.com</a></figcaption></figure>
<p>Chances are when you think of vampires you’ll think of <a href="https://buffy.fandom.com/wiki/Spike" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Spike</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Knight_(Forever_Knight)" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Nick Knight</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hunger_(1983_film)" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Miriam Blaylock</a>, or any of the other fanged creatures-of-the-night that populate modern culture, including Mara from <a href="https://aspasiasbissas.com/books" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"><em>Love Lies Bleeding</em></a>.
The vampires we’re familiar with are (generally) human looking,
powerful, often charismatic and attractive, with a thirst for blood and a
dislike of stakes. But that wasn’t always the case. History and
folklore are full of types of vampires that are nothing like what we’ve
come to expect. Here are five examples…</p><h3 id="krasue" style="text-align: left;">Krasue</h3>
<div class="wp-block-image">
<div style="text-align: center;"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img alt="A Further 5 Vampires You May Not Have Heard Of, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com. Vampire, vampires, Krasue, penanggalan, manananggal, sasabonsam, asanbonsam, pricolici, vrykolakas" class="wp-image-5412" data-attachment-id="5412" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="krasue-vampire-via-aspasia-s-bissas" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/03/krasue-vampire-via-aspasia-s-bissas.png?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/03/krasue-vampire-via-aspasia-s-bissas.png?w=209" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/03/krasue-vampire-via-aspasia-s-bissas.png" data-orig-size="680,975" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/krasue-vampire-via-aspasia-s-bissas/" height="664" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/03/krasue-vampire-via-aspasia-s-bissas.png?w=680" width="463" /></figure></div></div>
<p>Similar to the <a href="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2019/04/13/5-vampires-you-may-not-have-heard-of/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">penanggalan</a>
of Malaysia, the krasue is a type of ghostly vampire from Thailand that
preys on chickens and cattle. The krasue has the face of a beautiful
young woman (or sometimes an old woman), but instead of a body she has
hanging organs and entrails. She’s also luminescent, and can be
considered a form of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will-o%27-the-wisp" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">will o’ the wisp</a>.
Like most vampires, she has fangs, and like most ghosts, she moves by
floating. A common belief is that women who live sinful lives are cursed
to become krasue after death (or that the curse will be passed on to
their daughters and granddaughters). Another belief is that eating food
contaminated by krasue saliva or flesh will turn someone into a krasue.
And, as has been the case countless times throughout history, women in
small communities acting “strangely” were/are suspected of being witches
and monsters, or in this case– of becoming krasue at night. Krasue are
always hungry, seeking out blood or flesh to consume. If blood isn’t
available they’ll settle for rotting food, corpses, or feces. The krasue
needs to reattach to her headless body before dawn, so destroying the
body also destroys the krasue. Other ways to kill krasue include
cutting the organs and entrails off or burning her. A krasue can be
prevented from entering the home by surrounding it with something spiky,
like bamboo, which the krasue will avoid in order not to get her
entrails caught. There have been several krasue sightings in Thailand in
recent years, most– but not all, debunked.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Manananggal</h3>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="A Further 5 Vampires You May Not Have Heard Of, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com. Vampire, vampires, Krasue, penanggalan, manananggal, sasabonsam, asanbonsam, pricolici, vrykolakas" class="wp-image-5415" data-attachment-id="5415" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="manananggal-vampire-via-aspasia-s.-bissas" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/03/manananggal-vampire-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.png?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/03/manananggal-vampire-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.png?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/03/manananggal-vampire-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.png" data-orig-size="4000,2500" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/manananggal-vampire-via-aspasia-s-bissas/" height="400" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/03/manananggal-vampire-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.png?w=1024" width="590" /></figure>
<p>The manananggal is from the Philippines and is similar to the
penanggalan and krasue in the way it separates from the lower half of
its body, trailing intestines behind. Unlike the other two, the
manananggal has large, bat-like wings, and can be either male or female
(although they’re usually female). Another name for manananggal is
“tik-tik,” which is the sound the tiktik birds make as they accompany
the manananggal when they’re flying. Apparently the sound gets fainter
the closer they get, a tactic meant to confuse their victims. One
becomes a manananggal either by inheriting the condition, performing a
ritual, or surviving a manananggal attack. While they have fangs,
manananggal perch on roofs and use their long, proboscis-like tongues to
suck the blood from sleeping victims. They’re also known to eat flesh
and organs. Preferred prey is pregnant women, fetuses, and newlyweds
(particularly the grooms, as manananggal is said to have been left at
the altar). Like many vampires, manananggal hate garlic and holy water;
unlike most vampires they also can’t stand salt, vinegar, spices,
daggers, and the tails of stingrays. To keep a manananggal away from
your house, leave pots of uncooked rice, salt, or ash around. To kill a
manananggal, spread salt, ash, or crushed garlic on the detached lower
half. The top half won’t be able to reattach and will then die at
sunrise.</p>
<p>ETA: a commenter let me know that the manananggal can also transform
into a wild pig (!), and that “Oftentimes, a woman suspected of being
one is asleep during the day.” Thanks for the extra info!</p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Sasabonsam</h3>
<div class="wp-block-image">
<div style="text-align: center;"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><strike><img alt="A Further 5 Vampires You May Not Have Heard Of, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com. Vampire, vampires, Krasue, penanggalan, manananggal, sasabonsam, asanbonsam, pricolici, vrykolakas" class="wp-image-5417" data-attachment-id="5417" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="asabonsam-or-sasabonsam-vampire-aspasia-s.-bissas" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/03/asabonsam-or-sasabonsam-vampire-aspasia-s.-bissas.png?w=293" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/03/asabonsam-or-sasabonsam-vampire-aspasia-s.-bissas.png?w=166" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/03/asabonsam-or-sasabonsam-vampire-aspasia-s.-bissas.png" data-orig-size="293,531" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/asabonsam-or-sasabonsam-vampire-aspasia-s-bissas/" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/03/asabonsam-or-sasabonsam-vampire-aspasia-s.-bissas.png?w=293" /></strike><figcaption>Ashanti Sasabonsam/Asanbosam figure, via I<a href="https://intothewonder.wordpress.com/2019/10/30/vampire-vednesdays-sasabonsam/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">nto the Wonder</a></figcaption></figure></div></div>
<p>Sasabonsam, also known as Asanbosam, is a vampiric being in the
folklore of the Akan people of southern Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, and Togo.
Instead of feet they have iron hooks, which they use to dangle from
trees in order to attack from above. They also have iron fanged teeth
and bat-like features, including pointed ears and 6 metre- (20 foot-)
long wings. Sasabonsam are territorial creatures, feeding on anyone who
enters their forests. They eat flesh, as well as drinking blood, and
they can infect people with a wasting illness (a common theme in vampire
lore) with just a look. There is a claim that a man killed one by
“fatally injuring it,” but I can’t find more details about it. Because
of their hook feet, they can’t move well on the ground, so in theory you
could get away from a Sasabonsam if you can run fast enough to get out
from under the trees before they can grab you. Then again, it’s said
that they like to play with their victims, like cats sometimes do with
mice, so running might not help much.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Pricolici</h3>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="A Further 5 Vampires You May Not Have Heard Of, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com. Vampire, vampires, Krasue, penanggalan, manananggal, sasabonsam, asanbonsam, pricolici, vrykolakas" class="wp-image-5423" data-attachment-id="5423" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="pricolici-vampire-werewolf-via-aspasia-s.-bissas" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/03/pricolici-vampire-werewolf-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/03/pricolici-vampire-werewolf-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/03/pricolici-vampire-werewolf-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg" data-orig-size="1280,720" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/pricolici-vampire-werewolf-via-aspasia-s-bissas/" height="328" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/03/pricolici-vampire-werewolf-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg?w=1024" width="583" /></figure>
<p>A creature from Romanian folklore, the pricolici is a hybrid
vampire-werewolf (together at last!) Some claim they are undead souls
risen from the grave in wolf form. Others say that pricolici are
werewolves in life, who then rise after death as vampires. Men who are
cruel or violent in life are likely to become pricolici after death. In
any case, pricolici are especially vicious undead that enjoy hurting the
living. </p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Vrykolakas</h3>
<div class="wp-block-image">
<div style="text-align: center;"><figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img alt="A Further 5 Vampires You May Not Have Heard Of, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com. Vampire, vampires, Krasue, penanggalan, manananggal, sasabonsam, asanbonsam, pricolici, vrykolakas" class="wp-image-5426" data-attachment-id="5426" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="<p>Photo by cottonbro on <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/fashion-man-love-people-6844168/" rel="nofollow">Pexels.com</a></p>
" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="fashion man love people" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/03/pexels-photo-6844168.jpeg?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/03/pexels-photo-6844168.jpeg?w=200" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/03/pexels-photo-6844168.jpeg" data-orig-size="867,1300" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2022/03/05/a-further-5-vampires-you-may-not-have-heard-of/pexels-photo-6844168/" height="731" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/03/pexels-photo-6844168.jpeg" width="488" /><figcaption>Photo by cottonbro on <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/fashion-man-love-people-6844168/" rel="nofollow">Pexels.com</a></figcaption></figure></div></div>
<p>Greece (influenced by the myths of neighbouring Slavic countries)
brings us our final (for now) vampire: the vrykolakas. Interestingly,
while vrykolakas is generally considered to be a vampire, its name (from
the Bulgarian <em>vǎrkolak</em>) means werewolf, and by modern
definitions it’s closer to a zombie than a vampire. Vrykolakas don’t
decay after death, but their bodies become swollen with blood, giving
them lifelike ruddy complexions. They generally roam around wreaking all
sorts of havoc, including causing epidemics. Vrykolakas sometimes sit
on victims as they sleep, crushing or suffocating them. It was also
believed (and still is in some places) that they would knock on doors,
calling the names of people inside; if anyone opened the door, they
themselves would die within a few days and become a vampire. One could
also become a vrykolakas by living a sacrilegious life, being buried in
unconsecrated ground, or eating the meat of a sheep that had been
injured or killed by a wolf. Like the pricolici, it was also thought
that a werewolf could become a vampire after death, retaining wolf-like
fangs, hairy palms, and glowing eyes. The vrykolakas eats flesh rather
than drinking blood, and it has a particular fondness for livers
(possibly with a nice Chianti). The longer they are allowed to roam and
feed, the stronger they become. To kill a vrykolakas, the body needs to
be destroyed, which is done by impaling, beheading, dismembering, or
cremation. Destroying the body has to be done on a Saturday, which is
when the vrykolakas is believed to rest. During the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Famine_(Greece)" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Great Famine</a>
of 1941-1942 in Greece, so many people died that burial on consecrated
ground became impossible. Families started pre-emptively destroying
bodies so that their loved ones wouldn’t become vrykolakas.</p>
<p>Have you heard of these vampires? Which do you think is scariest? Tell me in the comments…</p>
<p> </p><p>Read my previous posts on this subject:</p>
<p><a href="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2019/04/13/5-vampires-you-may-not-have-heard-of/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">5 Vampires You May Not Have Heard Of</a></p>
<p><a href="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2020/05/02/5-more-vampires-you-may-not-have-heard-of/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">5 More Vampires You May Not Have Heard Of</a></p>
<p><a href="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2020/09/05/another-5-vampires-you-may-not-have-heard-of/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Another 5 Vampires You May Not Have Heard Of</a></p>
<p><a href="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2021/09/25/yet-another-5-vampires-you-may-not-have-heard-of/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Yet Another 5 Vampires You May Not Have Heard Of</a></p>
<p> </p><p>Can’t get enough vampires? Download my books!</p><div class="wp-block-image">
<div style="text-align: center;"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img alt="Aspasia S. Bissas books: Love Lies Bleeding, Blood Magic, Tooth & Claw, book, books, free book, free books, freebies, freebie, free ebook, free ebooks, vampire, vampires, dark fantasy, dark romance, historical fiction, gothic fiction, gothic fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, horror, dark reads, indie author, indie fiction, strong female protagonist, aspasiasbissas.com" class="wp-image-3823" data-attachment-id="3823" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="<p>Aspasia S. Bissas books: Love Lies Bleeding, Blood Magic, Tooth &amp; Claw</p>
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<p class="has-text-align-center" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Love Lies Bleeding:</strong> <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/836190" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-lies-bleeding-aspas-a-s-bissas/1126975412?ean=2940155299646" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/love-lies-bleeding-20" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/love-lies-bleeding/id1399829729" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a><br /><strong>FREE Blood Magic:</strong> <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/816146" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blood-magic-aspasia-bissas/1128513750?ean=2940155217077" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/blood-magic-24" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/blood-magic/id1373159635?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a><br /><strong>FREE Tooth & Claw:</strong> <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/957288" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tooth-claw-aspasia-s-bissas/1133399443?ean=2940163330331" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/tooth-claw-2" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/tooth-claw/id1479238761" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a></p>
<p class="has-text-align-center" style="text-align: center;">If you prefer paperback, use <a href="https://bookshop.org/books/love-lies-bleeding-9781775012528/9781775012528" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"><strong>this link</strong></a> to order<em> Love Lies Bleeding </em>from
Bookshop – a portion of each sale goes directly to independent
bookstores, as well as to myself. Thank you for supporting indie! ♥</p><p class="has-text-align-center" style="text-align: left;"> </p><p><strong>Further Reading</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krasue" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Krasue</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.nationthailand.com/life/30364902" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Ghostly Beings</a></p>
<p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manananggal" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Manananggal</a></p>
<p><a href="https://thoughtcatalog.com/january-nelson/2018/08/the-manananggal/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">17 Facts About the Manananggal</a></p>
<p><a href="https://ztevetevans.wordpress.com/tag/tiktik/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Philippine Folklore: Meet the Vampiric, Cannibalistic Manananggal</a></p>
<p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asanbosam" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Asanbosam</a></p>
<p><a href="https://intothewonder.wordpress.com/2019/10/30/vampire-vednesdays-sasabonsam/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Sasabonsam</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.fodors.com/news/photos/hunt-vampires-around-the-world" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">10 Places Where Vampires May Exist</a></p>
<p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pricolici" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Pricolici</a></p>
<p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vrykolakas#Ottoman_Greece" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Vrykolakas</a></p>
<p><a href="https://greekreporter.com/2021/10/31/vampires-in-greece-from-ancient-greek-creatures-to-the-vrykolakas/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Vampires in Greece</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.astonishinglegends.com/astonishing-legends/2018/4/29/vrykolakas" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Astonishing Legends: Vrykolakas</a></p><p> </p><p>Follow me on my official site: <a href="http://AspasiaSBissas.com">AspasiaSBissas.com</a> <br /></p>
<p> </p><p>Cheers,</p>
<p>Aspasía S. Bissas</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"></figure><figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"></figure><figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"></figure><figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img alt="🧿" height="20" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/14.0/1f9ff/72.png" width="19" /></figure><p class="has-text-align-center" style="text-align: left;"> </p>Aspasia Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903143756675674175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330673926964162519.post-61684556715690030512022-11-01T17:42:00.004-04:002022-11-01T17:42:41.207-04:00Review: Morbius<p><br /></p><p></p><p><img alt="Review: Morbius, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com. Vampire, vampires, Morbius, Marvel, Spider-Man, Sony, movie reviews" class="wp-image-5958" data-attachment-id="5958" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="morbius-movie-a-review-vua-aspasia-s.-bissas" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/10/morbius-movie-a-review-vua-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/10/morbius-movie-a-review-vua-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/10/morbius-movie-a-review-vua-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg" data-orig-size="1200,800" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2022/10/23/review-morbius/morbius-movie-a-review-vua-aspasia-s-bissas/" height="426" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/10/morbius-movie-a-review-vua-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg?w=1024" width="640" /></p><p>
As soon as I heard about Morbius coming out, I was excited to see it. And then the reviews started coming in.</p><h5>Spoilers Ahead</h5>
<p>I should mention that I haven’t read the comic book, so I won’t be
comparing the movie to it at all. My SO has read it and he said he was
never a fan of the character, who started out as a Spider-Man villain
and ended up being more of a neutral character. If movie Morbius is
anything like comic book Morbius, I can see why he wasn’t a fan.</p>
<p><em>Morbius</em> is about Michael Morbius, a man with a chronic (and
ultimately deadly) disease that he’s vowed to cure. In pursuit of a cure
he creates artificial blood that has somehow saved more lives than
penicillin, but still can’t save his own. So he crosses over to the
unethical side of research, importing (sigh) vampire bats from Costa
Rica and using them to create a serum that when fused with his own DNA
will, theoretically, finally be the cure he’s been looking for.</p>
<p>And then it goes horribly wrong. Oh no– what an unforeseen tragedy that no one could have foreseen.</p>
<p>It wasn’t just the story and main character that were underwhelming.
Starting with the opening shot of scenery suddenly interrupted by a
helicopter entering from behind the camera, I felt like I’d seen this
movie a thousand times before. From the cinematography to the acting to
the writing– it was all just so pointless. There’s no tension or mystery
at all, no artistry; and the whole thing seems rushed, like everyone
involved was just trying to get it over with. <em>Twilight</em> was by no means a good movie, but at least it tried.</p>
<p>By the way, I’m no fan of <em>Twilight</em>, but I’d rather watch the entire movie series in one sitting than sit through <em>Morbius</em> again. Bring on the sparkles.</p>
<p>The only bright-ish spot in the entire movie was Michael’s best
friend, Lucian AKA Milo (played by Eleventh Doctor, Matt Smith). Milo
also has the disease Michael has and is desperate to be cured, taking
the serum in secret. Michael then immediately treats Milo as though he’s
a monster/pure evil because he doesn’t want to go back to a painful
life and early death. At least Milo embraces being a vampire and exudes
some menace, unlike mopey Michael. At no point does Michael consider
finding a way to live with being a vampire, like finding a source of
human blood without the need to kill people (blood bank blood maybe?
Idk). He immediately concludes that his serum is a curse with
intolerable side effects (i.e., becoming a vampire) and it’s best to
just give up rather than try to find a way to make it work. No wonder
Milo isn’t on board. </p>
<p>The movie ends with a predictable twist and the worst post-credit scenes I’ve seen. I’m honestly not sure why <em>Morbius</em>
was made; it doesn’t add anything to vampire lore, and I can’t see it
adding anything worthwhile to the Spider-verse (like Spider-Man, Morbius
is a Marvel character licensed by Sony, so technically not part of the
MCU). Milo isn’t even around anymore to possibly make things more
interesting in future movies.</p>
<p>If you’re a stickler for watching everything Marvel related, then go ahead and watch <em>Morbius</em>. If you want to see a decent vampire flick, then go watch <em>Lost Boys</em>, or <em>What We Do in the Shadows</em>, or yes, even <em>Twilight</em> (at least you can laugh at it). The critics were right, <em>Morbius</em> sucks, and not in a good way.</p>
<p>What did you think of <em>Morbius</em>? Share in the comments…</p>
<p>Cant get enough vampires? Download my books now…</p><div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img alt="Aspasia S. Bissas books: Love Lies Bleeding, Blood Magic, Tooth & Claw, book, books, free book, free books, freebies, freebie, free ebook, free ebooks, vampire, vampires, dark fantasy, dark romance, historical fiction, gothic fiction, gothic fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, horror, dark reads, indie author, indie fiction, strong female protagonist, aspasiasbissas.com" class="wp-image-3823" data-attachment-id="3823" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="<p>Aspasia S. Bissas books: Love Lies Bleeding, Blood Magic, Tooth &amp; Claw</p>
" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Aspasia S. Bissas book covers" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png" data-orig-size="768,369" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2021/01/30/6-words-about-vampires/aspasia-s-bissas-book-covers/" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png?w=525" /></figure></div>
<p class="has-text-align-center" style="text-align: center;"><em>Love Lies Bleeding:</em> <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/836190" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-lies-bleeding-aspas-a-s-bissas/1126975412?ean=2940155299646" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/love-lies-bleeding-20" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/love-lies-bleeding/id1399829729" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Love-Lies-Bleeding-Aspas%C3%ADa-Bissas-ebook/dp/B0731XNRS7/ref=sr_1_8?dchild=1&keywords=bissas&qid=1595606996&sr=8-8" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Amazon</a><br />FREE <em>Blood Magic:</em> <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/816146" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blood-magic-aspasia-bissas/1128513750?ean=2940155217077" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/blood-magic-24" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/blood-magic/id1373159635?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a><br />FREE <em>Tooth & Claw:</em> <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/957288" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tooth-claw-aspasia-s-bissas/1133399443?ean=2940163330331" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/tooth-claw-2" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/tooth-claw/id1479238761" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a></p>
<p class="has-text-align-center">If you prefer paperback, use <a href="https://bookshop.org/books/love-lies-bleeding-9781775012528/9781775012528" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"><strong>this link</strong></a> to order<em> Love Lies Bleeding </em>from
Bookshop – a portion of each sale goes directly to independent
bookstores, as well as to myself. Thank you for supporting indie! ♥</p>
<p>Cheers,</p>
<p>Aspasía S. Bissas</p><p><img alt="🧿" height="20" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/14.0/1f9ff/72.png" width="20" /></p><p> </p><p></p><p></p><p>(This was originally posted on my official website: <a href="http://AspasiaSBissas.com">AspasiaSBissas.com</a>. Follow me there...) <br /></p><p></p><p> </p>Aspasia Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903143756675674175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330673926964162519.post-37694438721764864902022-09-21T14:53:00.003-04:002022-09-21T14:56:39.396-04:00Vampire's Garden: Nettle<p><br /></p><p><img alt="Vampire's Garden: Nettles, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2750" height="426" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2020/06/pexels-photo-1638278.jpeg" width="640" /> </p><p><a href="https://aspasiasbissas.com/books/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><i>Love Lies Bleeding‘s</i></a> readers know that main character Mara is both a vampire and a botanist. Trained when she was still human, she continues to study plants and have a garden. This post is ninth in a series exploring Mara’s plants. Are you interested in botany, gardening, or plant lore? So are some vampires…</p>
<p>Please note: Medicinal uses are given for informational purposes only. Always consult a medical professional before diagnosing or treating yourself or anyone else.</p>
<p>Please also note: Nettle is known as <i>stinging</i> nettle for a reason. See "Caution" below.</p>
<p><b>Botanical Name:</b> <i>Urtica dioica</i></p>
<p><b>Common Names:</b> Stinging nettle, common nettle, nettle leaf, stinger, burn nettle, burn weed, burn hazel, feuille d'ortie, slender nettle, tall nettle, wild nettle. (Not to be confused with dead nettle, <i>Lamium</i> spp.)</p>
<p><b>History:</b> Native to Europe, temperate Asia, and parts of northern Africa, nettle can now be found throughout the world. It grows abundantly in areas that receive regular rain, such as the Pacific Northwest, and locations that have been disturbed by humans (e.g., ditches and fields). The German idiom "<i>sich in die Nesseln setzen</i>," or to sit in nettles, means to get into trouble. The medical term for hives, "urticaria," comes from the Latin word for nettle: <i>Urtica</i> (from <i>urere</i>, "to burn"). It has been used as medicine, food, tea, and as a raw material for textiles since ancient times.</p>
<p><b>Language of Flowers Meaning:</b> Rudeness, coolness, scandal, pain, slander, cruelty, protection (no two sources I found gave the same meaning).</p>
<p><b>Cultivation:</b> Perennial. Nettle needs moist, rich soil (it's also an indicator of fertile soil wherever it grows wild). Start seeds indoors about 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost date, or sow seeds directly in spring or autumn. Transplant hardened seedlings in spring, spacing plants 30 cm (12 inches) apart. Make sure to grow nettle away from high-traffic areas in your garden. The plant grows 1 to 2 m (3 to 7 ft) tall in summer and dies back in winter. Harvest leaves in early spring (don't use once the plants have flowered) and roots in autumn. Nettle spreads easily via rhizomes, so if you'd like to grow it but don't want it taking over your yard, keep it contained with a barrier around its roots (if it gets invasive, regular and persistent tilling can help get it under control; otherwise, you may need to resort to herbicides). Add nettle leaves to compost as a source of nitrogen (or <a href="https://homesteadandchill.com/stinging-nettle-fertilizer-tea/#:~:text=Nettle%20tea%20is%20very%20potent,to%2010%20quarts%20of%20water." rel="noopener" target="_blank">make compost tea</a>). You can also forage for nettle in green spaces and open woodland (just be sure it hasn't been sprayed with pesticides or steeped in car exhaust).</p>
<p>TIP: Aphids love nettle. Grow nettle to keep aphids away from other garden plants (like roses).</p>
<p><b>Uses:</b></p>
<p>Medicinal: The fresh plant is a traditional spring tonic. Fresh or dried leaves and the powdered root have been used to treat disorders of the kidneys and urinary tract, and for sore muscles, osteoarthritis, rheumatism, and gout. The leaves are also used for skin conditions, to treat anemia, and to reduce hay fever. There is some evidence that nettle lowers both blood sugar and blood pressure. Some folk practitioners still practice Urtication, or flogging with nettles, to treat arthritis and rheumatism, and to increase circulation (although this has been shown to be effective, before you try it keep in mind that Urtication has also been used as a sentence for criminals).</p>
<p>Hair Care: A tea made from nettle leaves can be used as a hair rinse to add strength and shine. Some people believe it also stimulates hair growth, but that is purely anecdotal.</p>
<p>Culinary; Nettles are rich in Vitamins A, B, and C, as well as iron, potassium, calcium, and protein. <b>Use young plants picked in spring (plants that have flowered or gone to seed contain gritty particles that can irritate the urinary tract and kidneys)</b>. The sting can be removed by cooking or drying nettles, or by soaking them (I can confirm that cooking and drying works, but I'm hesitant to try the soaking method-- please let me know if you have, and how it went). Fresh nettle can be used like spinach or other greens, or made into <a href="https://learningandyearning.com/stinging-nettle-chips" rel="noopener" target="_blank">chips</a> or <a href="https://honest-food.net/nettle-pesto/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">pesto</a>. Dried or fresh leaves and flowers can be made into tea. You can also <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=nettle+beer+recipe&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&gws_rd=ssl#q=nettle+beer+recipe&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=Cgq&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&prmd=ivns&source=lnt&tbs=ctr:countryUK|countryGB&cr=countryUK|countryGB&sa=X&ei=J9TLTdn2EMbOhAfQ5emoAg&ved=0CAcQpwUoAQ&fp=3ddb097b9fa1b05d" rel="noopener" target="_blank">brew beer</a> from young nettles.</p>
<p>Fun Fact: There's a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bottle_Inn#World_Nettle_Eating_Championship" rel="noopener" target="_blank">World Nettle Eating Championship</a>, where people compete to see who can eat the most fresh nettles. Those with a low pain tolerance need not apply.</p>
<p>Wildlife: Nettle provides food for the larvae of several species of butterflies and moths. Ladybugs (a beneficial garden insect) also prefer laying their eggs on nettle. When harvesting, watch out for eggs and caterpillars (a curled leaf can be a sign of a resident) and avoid damaging those leaves.</p>
<p>Textiles: Nettle has been used to make a linen-like fabric for at least 3,000 years, and unlike some plants (looking at you, cotton) nettle doesn't need pesticides. Some modern European manufacturers are starting to produce nettle fabric again.</p>
<p>This short video demonstrates how to make nettle fabric:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="353" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/361YVBkFylo" width="473" youtube-src-id="361YVBkFylo"></iframe> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And this video shows how to make paper from nettles: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1VJMR4orW28" width="471" youtube-src-id="1VJMR4orW28"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Natural Dye: Nettle produces yellow dye from its roots and a yellow-green or grey-green hue from its leaves.<p></p>
<p><b>Caution:</b> The leaves of most nettle species are covered in hollow needle-like hairs that inject histamine and other irritating chemicals into the skin when touched, causing a stinging sensation and contact dermatitis (known as contact urticaria). The sting is removed when nettles are cooked or dried. Wear gloves and use caution when handling the fresh plant. <a href="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2019/05/18/vampires-garden-dock/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Dock</a> leaves are a traditional remedy for nettle stings, and dock often grows close to nettle (you can also use spotted jewelweed, plantain, antihistamines, or anti-itch creams).</p>
<p><b>Caution 2:</b> Nettle has been deemed likely unsafe to take during pregnancy, as it could potentially cause a miscarriage. Although it has a history of being used to induce lactation, it is now recommended to avoid nettle while breastfeeding. Nettle can also interfere with some medications; let your doctor know if you are using it.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><b>Mara's Uses:</b> Mara would include nettle in tinctures and teas to help strengthen bloodletters (human volunteers used by vampires for their blood) and to prevent or treat anemia.\</p><p style="text-align: left;">[Originally posted on my official site: <a href="http://AspasiaSBissas.com">AspasiaSBissas.co</a>m</p><p><b> </b></p><p><b>Further Reading</b></p>
<figure aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2191" class="wp-caption alignnone" data-shortcode="caption" id="attachment_2191" style="width: 555px;"><figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-2191"> <img alt="Aspasia S. Bissas books: Love Lies Bleeding, Blood Magic, Tooth & Claw, book, books, free book, free books, freebies, freebie, free ebook, free ebooks, vampire, vampires, dark fantasy, dark romance, historical fiction, gothic fiction, gothic fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, horror, dark reads, indie author, indie fiction, strong female protagonist, aspasiasbissas.com" class="wp-image-3823" data-attachment-id="3823" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="<p>Aspasia S. Bissas books: Love Lies Bleeding, Blood Magic, Tooth &amp; Claw</p>
" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Aspasia S. Bissas book covers" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png" data-orig-size="768,369" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2021/01/30/6-words-about-vampires/aspasia-s-bissas-book-covers/" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png?w=525" /></figcaption><figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-2191"> <br /></figcaption></figure>
<p><i>Love Lies Bleeding:</i> <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/836190" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-lies-bleeding-aspas-a-s-bissas/1126975412?ean=2940155299646" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/love-lies-bleeding-20" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/love-lies-bleeding/id1399829729" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a><br />
<i>Blood Magic:</i> <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/816146" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blood-magic-aspasia-bissas/1128513750?ean=2940155217077" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/blood-magic-24" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/blood-magic/id1373159635?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a><br />
<i>Tooth & Claw:</i> <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/957288" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tooth-claw-aspasia-s-bissas/1133399443?ean=2940163330331" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/tooth-claw-2" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/tooth-claw/id1479238761" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a></p>
<p>If you prefer a good paperback to an ebook, order <i>Love Lies Bleeding</i> from <b><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/4897/9781775012528" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Bookshop</a></b> – a portion of each sale goes directly to independent bookstores, as well as to myself. Thank you for supporting indie! ♥</p>
<p><a href="https://cwf-fcf.org/en/explore/gardening-for-wildlife/plants/edibles/edible-wild-and-not-so-wild-plants/stinging-nettles.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Canadian Wildlife Federation</a> (includes recipes)</p>
<p><a href="https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/10-uses-for-nettles/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Gardeners’ World: 10 Uses for Nettles</a></p>
<p><a href="https://thethingswellmake.com/stinging-nettle-recipes-20-surprising-things-make-nettles/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Surprising Ways to Use Stinging Nettles</a> (with recipes)</p>
<p><a href="http://www.sunriseorganicgardens.ca/stinging-nettle-useful-and-delicious/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Stinging Nettle: Useful and Delicious</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/nettle/stinging-nettle-greens.htm#:~:text=Plant%20one%20to%20three%20seeds,occur%20by%20about%2014%20days." rel="noopener" target="_blank">Tips for Growing Nettle</a></p>
<p><a href="https://homesteadandchill.com/stinging-nettle-fertilizer-tea/#:~:text=Nettle%20tea%20is%20very%20potent,to%2010%20quarts%20of%20water." rel="noopener" target="_blank">How to Use Nettle as a Fertilizer</a></p>
<p><a href="https://rebeccadesnos.com/blogs/journal/dyeing-with-nettles" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Dyeing with Nettles</a></p><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urtica_dioica" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a> </p><p><a href="http://www.daleharvey.com/Directory/articles-of-interest/LANGUAGE+OF+FLOWERS/Meaning+of+Flowers.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Meaning of Flowers</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-664/stinging-nettle" rel="noopener" target="_blank">WebMD</a></p><p> </p><p>Cheers,</p>
<p>Aspasía S. Bissas</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img alt="🧿" height="20" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/14.0/1f9ff/72.png" width="20" /> </figure><figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"> </figure><p> </p><p> </p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;"> <br /></p><p> </p>Aspasia Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903143756675674175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330673926964162519.post-72347562357311614492022-06-27T17:15:00.001-04:002022-06-27T17:15:59.858-04:00First Look at My New Book<p> </p><div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img alt="First Look at My New Book, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com, Love Lies Bleeding, Blood Magic, Tooth & Claw, vampire, vampires, dark fantasy, urban fantasy, gothic, paranormal, horror" class="wp-image-5607" data-attachment-id="5607" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="<p>Photo by Alex Fu on <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/wide-road-with-street-lights-3289156/" rel="nofollow">Pexels.com</a></p>
" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="wide road with street lights" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/pexels-photo-3289156.jpeg?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/pexels-photo-3289156.jpeg?w=240" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/pexels-photo-3289156.jpeg" data-orig-size="1040,1300" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2022/05/14/first-look-at-my-new-book/pexels-photo-3289156/" height="754" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/pexels-photo-3289156.jpeg" width="604" /><figcaption>Photo by Alex Fu on <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/wide-road-with-street-lights-3289156/" rel="nofollow">Pexels.com</a></figcaption></figure></div>
<p>Although there’s still work to be done, some parts of my new book (no
title yet) are ready to share! I thought I’d give you all a taste of
the opening chapter. This book continues the story started in <em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Love-Lies-Bleeding-Aspas%C3%ADa-Bissas/dp/1775012522/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1512074412&sr=8-1&keywords=aspasia+s+bissas" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Love Lies Bleeding</a></em>, introducing some new characters along the way. Fair warning, if you haven’t read <em>Love Lies Bleeding</em> yet, this excerpt contains spoilers. (And a trigger warning for anyone sensitive to violence.)</p>
<h4>Spoilers Ahead</h4>
<p></p>
<p>Mara was hungry and lonely. Hungry, she could take care of.</p>
<p>She was in London. She’d been there for what felt like months, but really was only a little over a week.</p>
<p>Nigel and Dominic were dead.</p>
<p>She’d killed them.</p>
<p>They’d deserved it, she reminded herself as her anxiety started to
spike. Dom had betrayed her, and both of them were threats to her and
Lee. Even more than vampires usually were.</p>
<p>Her mind, as it so often did, latched on to Lee. How was he doing?
Was he all right? Did he forgive her for leaving, for abandoning him?</p>
<p>It was for the best, all for the best. Always for the best.</p>
<p>An image of a bashed-in skull appeared in front of her. Nigel’s
unseeing eyes staring, judging. She blinked and Dominic was there, lying
on the ground, a dagger with a broken handle buried in his chest.</p>
<p>No, she muttered; not real.</p>
<p> But it was real. Or had been. She could still feel Nigel’s skull
shattering under the iron poker, could still feel the handle of the
blade breaking off as she tried to twist it in Dominic’s heart.</p>
<p>She knew it had happened; she just couldn’t believe it. Maybe because
it felt as though they were still with her. Or maybe because she hadn’t
bothered to check to make sure Dom definitely wouldn’t be coming back.
Either way, she’d felt as though she was being followed ever since.</p>
<p>Part of her hoped Lee had tracked her down, not only because she
desperately wanted to see him, but also because the alternative didn’t
bear considering.</p>
<p>Was Dominic still out there? Was he her ghost, her shadow, her
hunter? Leave it to him to keep chasing her from beyond the grave.</p>
<p>Or had all her victims broken free, the restless shades of her centuries of slaughter? She’d come home and unlocked their tombs.</p>
<p>The edges of her vision started tinting red. Right, she was hungry. Blood first, ghosts later.</p>
<p>The bars were always good for an easy meal. The streets were already
full of rowdy patrons heading to the next place, or getting into brawls,
or stumbling home, heads fuzzy and defenses down. It wouldn’t take much
to get one to follow her instead, to wander off into a dark corner of
the city where prying eyes didn’t reach.</p>
<p>She’d have to play the game a few times tonight, if she wanted enough
to be sated without taking too much from anyone. It wasn’t how she
usually fed—how she used to feed—but she was trying something new.
Feeding without hunting, without killing. Without the thrill. No matter
how much blood she drank this way she was always left empty. But she
survived, and it kept any more ghosts from haunting her.</p>
<p>Rising voices caught her attention: a man and a woman’s. The man’s
voice was laden with threat; the woman’s, distress. Mara’s pulse
quickened. Maybe she’d be playing a different game tonight, one where a
predator would get bled. It was always nice when people got what they
deserved. And so rare.</p>
<p>She approached the area where she’d heard the voices, making sure to
look innocuous. Just a girl out late, alone, quick steps and head
down—no threat to anyone. Or so they’d think—so they always
thought—until it was too late to think at all. But when Mara reached the
spot, an unlit path next to a park playground, she found a woman
standing calmly facing the other direction. No one else was around. Had
they already left, or had Mara misheard and gone to the wrong place? She
stopped, confused. The woman turned to look at her.</p>
<p>Too late.</p>
<p>(© Aspasía S. Bissas)</p>
<p></p>
<p>Let me know what you thought of it in the comments below. If you haven’t read <em>Love Lies Bleeding</em>, or my free stories “Blood Magic” and “Tooth & Claw,” download them now:</p>
<div class="wp-block-image">
<div style="text-align: center;"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img alt="Aspasia S. Bissas books: Love Lies Bleeding, Blood Magic, Tooth & Claw, book, books, free book, free books, freebies, freebie, free ebook, free ebooks, vampire, vampires, dark fantasy, dark romance, historical fiction, gothic fiction, gothic fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, horror, dark reads, indie author, indie fiction, strong female protagonist, aspasiasbissas.com" class="wp-image-3823" data-attachment-id="3823" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="<p>Aspasia S. Bissas books: Love Lies Bleeding, Blood Magic, Tooth &amp; Claw</p>
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<p class="has-text-align-center" style="text-align: center;">Love Lies Bleeding: <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/836190" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-lies-bleeding-aspas-a-s-bissas/1126975412?ean=2940155299646" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/love-lies-bleeding-20" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/love-lies-bleeding/id1399829729" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a><br />FREE Blood Magic: <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/816146" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blood-magic-aspasia-bissas/1128513750?ean=2940155217077" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/blood-magic-24" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/blood-magic/id1373159635?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a><br />FREE Tooth & Claw: <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/957288" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tooth-claw-aspasia-s-bissas/1133399443?ean=2940163330331" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/tooth-claw-2" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/tooth-claw/id1479238761" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a></p>
<p class="has-text-align-center" style="text-align: center;">If you prefer paperback, use <a href="https://bookshop.org/books/love-lies-bleeding-9781775012528/9781775012528" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"><strong>this link</strong></a> to order<em> Love Lies Bleeding </em>from
Bookshop – a portion of each sale goes directly to independent
bookstores, as well as to myself. Thank you for supporting indie! ♥</p>
<p>Cheers,</p>
<p>Aspasía S. Bissas</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><img alt="🧿" height="20" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/14.0/1f9ff/72.png" width="20" /> </p><p>[Originally posted on my official site: <a href="http://AspasiaSBissas.com">AspasiaSBissas.com</a>]<br /></p>Aspasia Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903143756675674175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330673926964162519.post-58938218170548260612022-05-24T14:21:00.002-04:002022-05-24T14:21:48.162-04:00Lord Byron: The First Modern Vampire<p> </p>
<div class="wp-block-image is-style-rounded">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img alt="Lord Byron: The First Modern Vampire, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com. Lord Byron, vampire, vampires, The Giaour, Fragment of a Novel, A Fragment, Byronic Hero, goth, goths, gothic, John Polidori, The Vampyre, Lord Ruthven" class="wp-image-5558" data-attachment-id="5558" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="lord-byron-via-aspasia-s.-bissas" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/04/lord-byron-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.png?w=300" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/04/lord-byron-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.png?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/04/lord-byron-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.png" data-orig-size="300,300" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/lord-byron-via-aspasia-s-bissas/" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/04/lord-byron-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.png?w=300" /></figure></div>
<blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-text-align-center"><p><strong>“The Giaour”</strong></p><p>lines 757–768:</p><p>But first, on earth as vampire sent,<br />Thy corse shall from its tomb be rent:<br />Then ghastly haunt thy native place,<br />And suck the blood of all thy race;<br />There from thy daughter, sister, wife,<br />At midnight drain the stream of life;<br />Yet loathe the banquet which perforce<br />Must feed thy livid living corse:<br />Thy victims ere they yet expire<br />Shall know the demon for their sire,<br />As cursing thee, thou cursing them,<br />Thy flowers are withered on the stem.</p><cite>Lord Byron, 1812 (published in 1813)</cite></blockquote>
<p></p>In this post I'll be exploring the life and work
of George Gordon Byron, better known as Lord Byron: poet, adventurer,
freedom fighter, the original celebrity, cursed soul, granddaddy of
goths, and the first modern vampire (probably not literally).
<p>If you weren’t aware, vampires weren’t always the charismatic, sexy,
human-seeming creatures we know them as these days. The vampires of
times past were generally monstrous, charmless, and often more like
zombies than what we now consider vampires to be (take a look at my post
<a href="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2022/03/05/a-further-5-vampires-you-may-not-have-heard-of/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">A Further 5 Vampires You May Not Have Heard Of</a>). That all changed with Lord Byron.</p>
<p>When Byron was born in 1788, he had a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caul" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">caul</a>
over his face. There are many superstitions about cauls. Some believe
being born with one is lucky and the child is destined for greatness,
some believe the child will have second sight. In Romania the belief is
that those born with a caul become vampires after death. </p>
<p>Byron’s childhood was fairly traumatic by any standards. His father
was rarely around (and when he was, his presence didn’t improve
anything), his mother was an alcoholic, and his governess abused him. At
age 10, he inherited the title Baron Byron of Rochdale, along with the
family’s ancestral home, Newstead Abbey, which incorporated the ruins of
a Gothic monastery. At some point he found a human skull in the
building and took to drinking from it in front of friends, who he’d then
dare to do the same.</p>
<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img alt="Lord Byron: The First Modern Vampire, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com. Lord Byron, vampire, vampires, The Giaour, Fragment of a Novel, A Fragment, Byronic Hero, goth, goths, gothic, John Polidori, The Vampyre, Lord Ruthven" class="wp-image-5661" data-attachment-id="5661" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="lord-byron-brooding-via-aspasia-s.-bissas" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/lord-byron-brooding-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.png?w=324" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/lord-byron-brooding-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.png?w=243" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/lord-byron-brooding-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.png" data-orig-size="324,400" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2022/05/22/lord-byron-the-first-modern-vampire/lord-byron-brooding-via-aspasia-s-bissas/" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/lord-byron-brooding-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.png?w=324" /><figcaption>Portrait of Lord Byron by Théodore Géricault, 1811</figcaption></figure></div>
<p>As his popularity grew, Byron cultivated a “cult of personality”
based on his invented romantic and heroic image. He had portraits
painted of himself as different characters: Le Corsair, Scottish sailor,
Egyptian bandit. He adapted his personality, his clothing, and even the
way he spoke, to suit the occasion or who he was with. He presented
himself as a tragic outsider with a mysterious past, a character out of
his own books, and made sure never to let the persona slip.</p>
<p>Byron was one of the first to write about vampires in English. In his
poem”The Giaour” (quoted above) he tells of a man cursed to become a
vampire and destroy his own family. In notes with the poem, Byron
comments on the belief in the Levant, Greece, and Hungary of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vrykolakas" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Vroucolachas</a>
(or Vardoulacha). After its publication, some expressed fear about
Byron’s hypnotic, or vampiric, ability to control his admirers with his
poetry. </p>
<p>This image Byron created of himself as the archetypal “<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byronic_hero" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Byronic Hero</a>” would influence future literary characters such as <a href="https://www.davidcastleton.net/wuthering-heights-house-ponden-hall-top-withens-high-sunderland/">Heathcliff</a> (<em>Wuthering Heights</em>), Count Dracula, Batman, and Severus Snape, to name a few, as well as real-life celebrities and rock stars like <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Morrison" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Jim Morrison</a> and Kurt Cobain.</p>
<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img alt="Lord Byron: The First Modern Vampire, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com. Lord Byron, vampire, vampires, The Giaour, Fragment of a Novel, A Fragment, Byronic Hero, goth, goths, gothic, Batman, Jim Morrison, Dracula, Heathcliff, Wuthering Heights, Kurt Cobain, Severus Snape, John Polidori, The Vampyre, Lord Ruthven" class="wp-image-5641" data-attachment-id="5641" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="<p><a href="https://www.behance.net/gallery/86725627/Batman-Noir" rel="nofollow">Batman Noir</a> by <a href="" rel="nofollow">Marko Manev</a> is licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/" rel="nofollow">CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0</a></p>
" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="Batman Noir" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/d2918286725627.5da2574e14468.jpg?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/d2918286725627.5da2574e14468.jpg?w=207" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/d2918286725627.5da2574e14468.jpg" data-orig-size="800,1162" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2022/05/22/lord-byron-the-first-modern-vampire/d2918286725627-5da2574e14468/" height="640" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/d2918286725627.5da2574e14468.jpg" width="441" /><figcaption><a href="https://www.behance.net/gallery/86725627/Batman-Noir" rel="nofollow">Batman Noir</a> by <a href="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2022/05/22/lord-byron-the-first-modern-vampire/" rel="nofollow">Marko Manev</a> is licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/" rel="nofollow">CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0</a></figcaption></figure></div>
<p>In his unfinished work “Fragment of a Novel” (also known as “A
Fragment” or “The Burial: A Fragment) from 1819, Byron’s character,
Augustus Darvell, brings vampires into the modern age. Darvell is
wealthy, attractive, and blends easily into human society. Although
Byron never completed the story, according to a letter by his doctor and
‘frenemy,’ John Polidori, Byron was planning on having Darvell’s friend
bury him according to strange and ritualistic instructions, only to
come back later and find Darvell alive and wreaking havoc (including
seducing and killing the man’s sister).</p>
<p>Speaking of Polidori, Byron didn’t just write about vampires. he was
portrayed as one in the works of others. Polidori’s story “The Vampyre”
was strongly influenced by Byron’s ideas for the continuation of
“Fragment of a Novel” (Byron was also wrongly given credit for “The
Vampyre,” and Polidori struggled to correct the mistake). Besides
Byron’s influences, the main character “Lord Ruthven” was an
unflattering and exaggerated portrait of Byron. Ruthven is a sexual
predator who is calculating and cruel. He revels in sin and degradation.
Although he looks sickly and cadaver-like, he’s also compelling and
hypnotic. In the end Ruthven gets away with everything, while those
around him suffer.</p>
<p>Lady Caroline Lamb, a married woman Byron had an affair with and then ignored, got back at him through her novel, <em>Glenarvon</em>.
Again, a barely disguised Byron is portrayed as a vampiric (and
somewhat ridiculous) character, howling at the moon and dressing as a
monk. He seduces and ruins every woman he meets and betrays everyone
close to him. Unlike Ruthven, he gets his comeuppance when he’s
confronted by the ghosts of all the women he’s destroyed, and then
throws himself into the sea out of remorse. Lady Caroline is credited
with describing Byron as “mad, bad and dangerous to know”.</p>
<p>Byron and Polidori transformed vampires from the grotesque undead to
attractive and charming almost-humans. Bram Stoker was likely influenced
by Byron when he wrote <em>Dracula</em>, and ever since, vampires in
both print and onscreen are overwhelmingly “Byronic”: tragic,
mysterious, dark, brooding, and embodying (or inducing) lust. Literary
critic Tom Holland wrote in his 1999 essay “Undead Byron” that “vampires
remain recognizably Lord Byron’s descendants.” He also comments, “…the
modern genre of vampire fiction may be seen as perhaps the most vital
and enduring of all the varied expressions of Byronism.” As violent and
bloodthirsty as the modern vampire can be, fans are under their spell,
as much as Byron’s fans were under his. </p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="Lord Byron: The First Modern Vampire, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com. Lord Byron, vampire, vampires, The Giaour, Fragment of a Novel, A Fragment, Byronic Hero, goth, goths, gothic, skull, human skull, skull cup, John Polidori, The Vampyre, Lord Ruthven" class="wp-image-5580" data-attachment-id="5580" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="lord-byrons-skull-cup-via-aspasia-s.-bissas" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/lord-byrons-skull-cup-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/lord-byrons-skull-cup-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/lord-byrons-skull-cup-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg" data-orig-size="615,409" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2022/05/22/lord-byron-the-first-modern-vampire/lord-byrons-skull-cup-via-aspasia-s-bissas/" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/lord-byrons-skull-cup-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.jpg?w=615" /><figcaption><em>Lord Byron’s skull cup (Photo: <a href="https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/human-skull-cup-used-byron-562426">devonlive</a>)</em></figcaption></figure>
<p>Even in his own time, it didn’t go unnoticed that Byron had more than
a few vampiric qualities. People around him complained that he was
draining the life from them, and overshadowing them with his “almost
supernatural magnetism.” Critics claimed he hypnotized and subjugated
his followers. Byron himself felt he was cursed, pointing out that many
of the people closest to him suffered misfortune, or died tragically.</p>
<p>Amelia Opie, a woman Byron had charmed, claimed he had “such a voice
as the Devil tempted Eve with; you feared its fascination the moment you
heard it.”</p>
<p>And like a true vampire, Byron was immune to conventional life and the rules and judgments of polite society. </p>
<p>He was seductive and insatiable, not unlike vampires, although his
appetite was for sex, not blood. He was openly bisexual and had a
particular taste for married women, but not so particular that he didn’t
also sleep with admirers, servants, prostitutes, and his half-sister.
It was rare that anyone turned him down.</p>
<p>In a letter from 1819, Byron claimed to have no interest in vampires: </p>
<h3>“I have besides a personal dislike to ‘Vampires,’ and the little
acquaintance I have with them would by no means induce me to reveal
their secrets.”</h3>
<p>Reading this, I can’t help thinking that “little acquaintance” indicates that there was <em>some</em>
acquaintance. And what secrets of theirs was he keeping, exactly? It’s
not difficult to imagine that as he toured Europe and came into contact
with many of the cultures that had strong vampire folklore, he might
have encountered a creature that wasn’t quite human. At one point in his
travels, he was claiming that “spies” were following him through Geneva
and Flanders. Were they journalists looking for hot gossip to publish,
or maybe something more?</p>
<p>In 1823 Byron went to Greece to fight for Greek independence from the
Ottoman Empire. He spent 4,000 pounds (equivalent today to about
477,000 USD or 382,000 GBP) of his own money to refit the Greek naval
fleet. He also took command of a Greek unit of elite fighters.
Unfortunately, he fell ill with a “fever” on 15 February 1824.
Ironically, doctors bled him to treat the illness, which most likely led
to his death.</p>
<p>Byron died on 19 April 1824, aged 36. Some say his heart was cut out
and kept in Greece, where, to this day, he’s a national hero. In any
case, his body was returned to England. He was supposed to be buried in
Westminster Abbey, but the Dean of Westminster refused on the grounds of
Byron’s “questionable morality.” (They did add a memorial plaque to
Byron in 1969.) He was instead buried in the Church of St. Mary
Magdalene in Hucknall.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="Lord Byron: The First Modern Vampire, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com. Lord Byron, vampire, vampires, The Giaour, Fragment of a Novel, A Fragment, Byronic Hero, goth, goths, gothic, John Polidori, The Vampyre, Lord Ruthven, Westminster Abbey" class="wp-image-5663" data-attachment-id="5663" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="lord-byron-memorial-plaque-at-westminster-abbey" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/lord-byron-memorial-plaque-at-westminster-abbey.png?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/lord-byron-memorial-plaque-at-westminster-abbey.png?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/lord-byron-memorial-plaque-at-westminster-abbey.png" data-orig-size="750,477" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2022/05/22/lord-byron-the-first-modern-vampire/lord-byron-memorial-plaque-at-westminster-abbey/" height="406" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/05/lord-byron-memorial-plaque-at-westminster-abbey.png?w=750" width="640" /><figcaption>Lord Byron memorial<br />This image can be purchased from <a href="https://www.westminster-abbey.org/about-the-abbey/library-research#i18574">Westminster Abbey Library</a><br />Image © 2022 Dean and Chapter of Westminster</figcaption></figure>
<p>His death didn’t end the vampire rumours about Byron. Because people
kept insisting that his coffin was empty, in 1938– more than a century
after his death– the vicar of Hucknall agreed to open the casket. Byron
was inside, naked and well-preserved, The vicar stated:</p>
<blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>‘Reverently, very reverently, I
raised the lid and before my eyes lay the embalmed body of Byron in as
perfect condition as when it had been placed in the coffin … his
features and hair easily recognisable from the portraits with which I
was so familiar. The serene, almost happy expression on his face made a
profound impression on me … I gently lowered the lid of his coffin – and
as I did so, breathed a prayer for the peace of his soul.’</p></blockquote>
<p>And so Lord Byron rests in peace…or maybe not.</p>
<p>What do you think? Did Byron become a vampire, or just play one on the page? Share in the comments…</p>
<p>Celebrate Byron's legacy with some new vampire books:</p>
<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img alt="Aspasia S. Bissas books: Love Lies Bleeding, Blood Magic, Tooth & Claw, book, books, free book, free books, freebies, freebie, free ebook, free ebooks, vampire, vampires, dark fantasy, dark romance, historical fiction, gothic fiction, gothic fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, horror, dark reads, indie author, indie fiction, strong female protagonist, aspasiasbissas.com" class="wp-image-3823" data-attachment-id="3823" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="<p>Aspasia S. Bissas books: Love Lies Bleeding, Blood Magic, Tooth &amp; Claw</p>
" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Aspasia S. Bissas book covers" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png" data-orig-size="768,369" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2021/01/30/6-words-about-vampires/aspasia-s-bissas-book-covers/" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png?w=525" /></figure></div>
<p class="has-text-align-center" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Love Lies Bleeding:</strong> <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/836190" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-lies-bleeding-aspas-a-s-bissas/1126975412?ean=2940155299646" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/love-lies-bleeding-20" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/love-lies-bleeding/id1399829729" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a><br /><strong>FREE Blood Magic:</strong> <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/816146" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blood-magic-aspasia-bissas/1128513750?ean=2940155217077" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/blood-magic-24" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/blood-magic/id1373159635?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a><br /><strong>FREE Tooth & Claw:</strong> <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/957288" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tooth-claw-aspasia-s-bissas/1133399443?ean=2940163330331" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/tooth-claw-2" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/tooth-claw/id1479238761" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a></p>
<p class="has-text-align-center">If you prefer paperback, use <a href="https://bookshop.org/books/love-lies-bleeding-9781775012528/9781775012528" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"><strong>this link</strong></a> to order<em> Love Lies Bleeding </em>from
Bookshop – a portion of each sale goes directly to independent
bookstores, as well as to myself. Thank you for supporting indie! ♥</p>
<p>Cheers,</p>
<p>Aspasía S. Bissas</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img alt="🧿" height="20" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/14.0/1f9ff/72.png" width="20" /></figure>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Further Reading</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fragment_of_a_Novel" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Wikipedia: Fragment of a Novel</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.davidcastleton.net/byron-polidori-vampire-villa-diodati-vampyre/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Was Lord Byron England’s 1st Vampire?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://lithub.com/on-the-very-scary-rise-of-the-first-literary-vampire/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">On the Very Scary Rise of the First Literary Vampire</a></p>
<p><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/nottingham/hi/people_and_places/history/newsid_8517000/8517132.stm" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Lord Byron’s Image Inspired Modern Take on Vampires</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Lord_Byron_in_popular_culture" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Lord Byron in Popular Culture</a></p>
<p><a href="http://strangehorizons.com/non-fiction/articles/mad-bad-and-dangerous-to-know-le-vampyre-the-gothic-novel-and-george-gordon-lord-byron/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">“Mad, bad, and dangerous to know”</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.biography.com/writer/lord-byron" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Biography: Lord Byron</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.westminster-abbey.org/abbey-commemorations/commemorations/lord-byron" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Lord Byron: Westminster Abbey</a></p>Aspasia Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903143756675674175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330673926964162519.post-25076550923427517012022-05-04T13:44:00.005-04:002022-05-04T13:44:26.144-04:00Calling All Vampires...<p> </p><figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img alt="Calling All Vampires, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com. Dracula, Guinness World Records, vampire gathering, Whitby, England, Bram Stoker, English Heritage" class="wp-image-5565" data-attachment-id="5565" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="<p>Photo by cottonbro on <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/fashion-man-love-people-6844173/" rel="nofollow">Pexels.com</a></p>
" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="fashion man love people" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/04/pexels-photo-6844173.jpeg?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/04/pexels-photo-6844173.jpeg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/04/pexels-photo-6844173.jpeg" data-orig-size="1880,1253" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2022/04/30/calling-all-vampires/pexels-photo-6844173/" height="427" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/04/pexels-photo-6844173.jpeg" width="640" /><figcaption>Photo by cottonbro on <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/fashion-man-love-people-6844173/" rel="nofollow">Pexels.com</a></figcaption></figure>
<p>In honour of the 125th anniversary of the publication of Bram Stoker’s <em>Dracula</em>, <a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">English Heritage</a> is hoping to break the world record for “<a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Largest Gathering of People Dressed as Vampires</a>.” The current record involves 1039 people, and EH hopes to get 1897 participants of all ages (1897 being the year <em>Dracula </em>was published). </p>
<p>The event will take place at <a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/whitby-abbey/history-and-stories/dracula/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Whitby Abbey</a> in northeastern England. Stoker spent time in Whitby, finding inspiration there for parts of <em>Dracula</em>.</p>
<p>Would-be vampires must adhere to a dress code: “full traditional
vampire fancy dress costume,” which includes black pants or a dress,
waistcoat and white shirt, a black cape or collared overcoat (lining
doesn’t need to be black), black shoes, and fangs over your top teeth.</p>
<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img alt="Calling All Vampires, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com. Dracula, Guinness World Records, vampire gathering, Whitby, England, Bram Stoker, English Heritage" class="wp-image-5568" data-attachment-id="5568" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="whitby-vampires-via-aspasia-s.-bissas" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/04/whitby-vampires-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.png?w=480" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/04/whitby-vampires-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.png?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/04/whitby-vampires-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.png" data-orig-size="480,480" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/whitby-vampires-via-aspasia-s-bissas/" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/04/whitby-vampires-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.png?w=480" /></figure></div>
<p>There will also be performances of excerpts of <em>Dracula</em> and live music.</p>
<h3>Details</h3>
<p>Date: 26 May 2022 (World Dracula Day)</p>
<p>Time: 6 pm to 9 pm (record attempt will take place from 6:45 pm to 7:15 pm)</p>
<p>Cost: Tickets are free to anyone in costume, but they do need to be reserved in advance</p>
<h3>Find out more and book your tickets <a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/whats-on/whitby-abbey-the-largest-gathering-of-vampires-guinness-world-record-attempt-26-may-2022/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">here</a>.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Will you be part of the world’s largest vampire gathering? Share in the comments…</p>
<p>In the meantime, get into the vampire mood by downloading my books:</p>
<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img alt="Aspasia S. Bissas books: Love Lies Bleeding, Blood Magic, Tooth & Claw, book, books, free book, free books, freebies, freebie, free ebook, free ebooks, vampire, vampires, dark fantasy, dark romance, historical fiction, gothic fiction, gothic fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, horror, dark reads, indie author, indie fiction, strong female protagonist, aspasiasbissas.com" class="wp-image-3823" data-attachment-id="3823" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="<p>Aspasia S. Bissas books: Love Lies Bleeding, Blood Magic, Tooth &amp; Claw</p>
" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Aspasia S. Bissas book covers" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png" data-orig-size="768,369" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2021/01/30/6-words-about-vampires/aspasia-s-bissas-book-covers/" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png?w=525" /></figure></div>
<p class="has-text-align-center" style="text-align: center;">Love Lies Bleeding: <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/836190" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-lies-bleeding-aspas-a-s-bissas/1126975412?ean=2940155299646" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/love-lies-bleeding-20" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/love-lies-bleeding/id1399829729" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a><br />FREE Blood Magic: <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/816146" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blood-magic-aspasia-bissas/1128513750?ean=2940155217077" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/blood-magic-24" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/blood-magic/id1373159635?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a><br />FREE Tooth & Claw: <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/957288" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tooth-claw-aspasia-s-bissas/1133399443?ean=2940163330331" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/tooth-claw-2" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/tooth-claw/id1479238761" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a></p>
<p class="has-text-align-center" style="text-align: center;">If you prefer paperback, use <a href="https://bookshop.org/books/love-lies-bleeding-9781775012528/9781775012528" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"><strong>this link</strong></a> to order<em> Love Lies Bleeding </em>from
Bookshop – a portion of each sale goes directly to independent
bookstores, as well as to myself. Thank you for supporting indie! ♥</p>
<p>Cheers,</p>
<p>Aspasía S. Bissas</p><p>(Originally posted on my official site. Follow me there: <a href="http://AspasiaSBissas.com">AspasiaSBissas.com</a>) <br /></p>
<figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"></figure><figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"></figure><figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"></figure><figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"></figure><figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"></figure><figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"></figure><figure class="wp-block-image is-resized"><img alt="🧿" height="20" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/14.0/1f9ff/72.png" width="20" /></figure>Aspasia Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903143756675674175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330673926964162519.post-80992188476245296342022-04-12T12:27:00.001-04:002022-04-12T12:27:11.267-04:00Drop Everything...<p> …and Read! </p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img alt="Drop Everything and Read Day, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com. read, reading, books, Beverly Cleary, April 12, National Drop Everything and Read Day" class="wp-image-5520" data-attachment-id="5520" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="<p>Photo by Taryn Elliott on <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-holding-book-page-on-white-table-4426554/" rel="nofollow">Pexels.com</a></p>
" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="person holding book page on white table" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/04/pexels-photo-4426554.jpeg?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/04/pexels-photo-4426554.jpeg?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/04/pexels-photo-4426554.jpeg" data-orig-size="1880,1058" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2022/04/12/drop-everything/pexels-photo-4426554/" height="343" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/04/pexels-photo-4426554.jpeg" width="609" /><figcaption>No
judgments on where you read, but for the sake of books everywhere,
please don’t bend the cover back like this! Photo by Taryn Elliott on <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-holding-book-page-on-white-table-4426554/" rel="nofollow">Pexels.com</a></figcaption></figure>
<p>Today is National Drop Everything and Read Day, which really should
be an international holiday, as far as I’m concerned. DEAR day happens
every 12 April, in honour of author <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beverly_Cleary" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Beverly Cleary’s</a>
birthday, but can be celebrated all month and beyond. The goal is for
people to take time out of their day and spend it reading a book. Seems
like a great holiday to celebrate (I suggest your favourite warm drink
as the official accompaniment).</p>
<p>Looking for something you can read right now? I’ve got you covered…</p>
<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img alt="Aspasia S. Bissas books: Love Lies Bleeding, Blood Magic, Tooth & Claw, book, books, free book, free books, freebies, freebie, free ebook, free ebooks, vampire, vampires, dark fantasy, dark romance, historical fiction, gothic fiction, gothic fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, horror, dark reads, indie author, indie fiction, strong female protagonist, aspasiasbissas.com" class="wp-image-3823" data-attachment-id="3823" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="<p>Aspasia S. Bissas books: Love Lies Bleeding, Blood Magic, Tooth &amp; Claw</p>
" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Aspasia S. Bissas book covers" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png" data-orig-size="768,369" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2021/01/30/6-words-about-vampires/aspasia-s-bissas-book-covers/" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png?w=525" /></figure></div>
<p class="has-text-align-center" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Love Lies Bleeding:</strong> <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/836190" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-lies-bleeding-aspas-a-s-bissas/1126975412?ean=2940155299646" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/love-lies-bleeding-20" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/love-lies-bleeding/id1399829729" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a><br /><strong>FREE Blood Magic:</strong> <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/816146" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blood-magic-aspasia-bissas/1128513750?ean=2940155217077" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/blood-magic-24" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/blood-magic/id1373159635?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a><br /><strong>FREE Tooth & Claw:</strong> <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/957288" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tooth-claw-aspasia-s-bissas/1133399443?ean=2940163330331" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/tooth-claw-2" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/tooth-claw/id1479238761" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a></p>
<p class="has-text-align-center" style="text-align: center;">If you prefer paperback, use <a href="https://bookshop.org/books/love-lies-bleeding-9781775012528/9781775012528" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"><strong>this link</strong></a> to order<em> Love Lies Bleeding </em>from
Bookshop – a portion of each sale goes directly to independent
bookstores, as well as to myself. Thank you for supporting indie! ♥</p>
<p>What will you be reading today?</p>
<p>Cheers,</p>
<p>Aspasía S. Bissas</p>Aspasia Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903143756675674175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330673926964162519.post-80354881277863741812022-04-05T17:03:00.006-04:002022-04-05T17:03:39.973-04:00The Problem with Angelus<p> </p><div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img alt="The Problem with Angelus, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com. Angel, Angelus, Buffy, vampire, vampires, gif" class="wp-image-5456" data-attachment-id="5456" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="angelus-the-vampire-via-aspasia-s.-bissas" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/03/angelus-the-vampire-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.gif?w=500" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/03/angelus-the-vampire-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.gif?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/03/angelus-the-vampire-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.gif" data-orig-size="500,363" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/angelus-the-vampire-via-aspasia-s-bissas/" height="363" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/03/angelus-the-vampire-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.gif?w=500" width="500" /></figure></div>
<p>I’m still (re-)watching <em>Buffy</em> and <em>Angel</em>, and there’s something that’s been bothering me about Angelus…</p>
<h5>Spoilers Ahead</h5>
<p>First, we need some backstory. </p>
<p>in <em>Buffy </em>and <em>Angel </em>mythology, a vampire is made
when a vampire exchanges blood with a human before killing them. The
human’s soul leaves the body (presumably going off to the afterlife),
and the soulless shell reanimates, inhabited by a demon that looks like
the human, and has their personality and all their memories, but with an
aversion to sunlight and a thirst for blood.</p>
<p>Angelus started out like any other vampire, but after killing the
wrong girl he was cursed with a soul. Suddenly his body housed a demon
and a human soul. This unnatural combination led him to spend a hundred
years wallowing in guilt and remorse over what he’d done as a vampire,
before finally deciding to become a broody, but useful, member of
society. Oh, and he also started calling himself Angel.</p>
<p>But the curse had a loophole. If Angel were to ever experience a
moment of true happiness, the soul would go and Angelus would return in
all his murderous glory.</p>
<p>Over the course of both <em>Buffy</em> and <em>Angel</em>, we get to
see both Angel and Angelus, and much as I enjoy the dichotomy, something
about it bothers me. Angel is solitary, reserved, and thoughtful, but
ready to kick ass when necessary. Angelus, on the other hand, is cruel,
revels in violence, and is as meticulous in stalking and torture as the
most evil serial killer. So how is this the same person?</p>
<p>The shows simply claim that it’s the difference between soul and no
soul, but I’m not sure I buy that. The presence (or lack) of a soul
doesn’t completely change your personality. At one point Angel claims he
was a bad person as a human too, but from flashbacks we see he was
mostly a shiftless, carousing layabout and terrible son. That’s pretty
far from a cold-blooded killer (not to mention the other major
personality shifts we see between Angel and Angelus). The <em>Buffy</em> episode “Doppelgangland” even tacitly confirms that a vampire’s personality is basically the same as the human they inhabit.</p>
<p>When vampire Spike gets his soul back (earned, not cursed), his
personality doesn’t significantly change. He might be less likely to
finish off a mortally wounded human once he gets his soul, but if you
watched an episode featuring him without knowing which season it was
from, you wouldn’t necessarily be able to tell whether he has a soul or
not. Another vampire, Harmony, never gets a soul, but shows no
significant change in personality before and after becoming a vampire.
She even loves unicorns.</p>
<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img alt="The Problem with Angelus, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com. Angel, Angelus, Buffy, vampire, vampires, Harmony, unicorns" class="wp-image-5462" data-attachment-id="5462" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="harmonys-unicorn-figurines-via-aspasia-s.-bissas" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/03/harmonys-unicorn-figurines-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.png?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/03/harmonys-unicorn-figurines-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.png?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/03/harmonys-unicorn-figurines-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.png" data-orig-size="600,475" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/harmonys-unicorn-figurines-via-aspasia-s-bissas/" height="424" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/03/harmonys-unicorn-figurines-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.png?w=600" width="535" /></figure></div>
<p>In the <em>Angel</em> episode “Eternity,” Angel is drugged so that he
feels a chemical high (which they call “happiness” for the sake of the
plot), Until the drug wears off he’s right back to being Mr.
Murder-Death-Kill, as though a switch were flipped. You’d think he’d
still be able to exert his own will, at least a little, to keep Angelus
from completely taking over. He didn’t even lose his soul that time.
Yes, it’s a TV show about vampires and demons, but it doesn’t make any
sense. Not to me, at least.</p>
<p>Maybe having a soul forced on him was traumatic for Angel, causing
his personality to fracture. Maybe the demon inside him is particularly
strong and malevolent. Maybe it really is only human guilt that keeps
Angel from totally going off the rails. Maybe I’m way overthinking this.</p>
<p>What do you think about Angel/Angelus and his split personality? Do
you have your own theories about the difference a soul makes? Share in
the comments…</p>
<p>Want more vampires? Download my books…</p>
<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img alt="Aspasia S. Bissas books: Love Lies Bleeding, Blood Magic, Tooth & Claw, book, books, free book, free books, freebies, freebie, free ebook, free ebooks, vampire, vampires, dark fantasy, dark romance, historical fiction, gothic fiction, gothic fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, horror, dark reads, indie author, indie fiction, strong female protagonist, aspasiasbissas.com" class="wp-image-3823" data-attachment-id="3823" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="<p>Aspasia S. Bissas books: Love Lies Bleeding, Blood Magic, Tooth &amp; Claw</p>
" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Aspasia S. Bissas book covers" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png" data-orig-size="768,369" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2021/01/30/6-words-about-vampires/aspasia-s-bissas-book-covers/" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png?w=525" /></figure></div>
<p class="has-text-align-center" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Love Lies Bleeding:</strong> <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/836190" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-lies-bleeding-aspas-a-s-bissas/1126975412?ean=2940155299646" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/love-lies-bleeding-20" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/love-lies-bleeding/id1399829729" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a><br /><strong>FREE Blood Magic:</strong> <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/816146" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blood-magic-aspasia-bissas/1128513750?ean=2940155217077" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/blood-magic-24" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/blood-magic/id1373159635?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a><br /><strong>FREE Tooth & Claw:</strong> <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/957288" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tooth-claw-aspasia-s-bissas/1133399443?ean=2940163330331" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/tooth-claw-2" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/tooth-claw/id1479238761" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a></p>
<p class="has-text-align-center">If you prefer paperback, use <a href="https://bookshop.org/books/love-lies-bleeding-9781775012528/9781775012528" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"><strong>this link</strong></a> to order<em> Love Lies Bleeding </em>from
Bookshop – a portion of each sale goes directly to independent
bookstores, as well as to myself. Thank you for supporting indie! ♥</p>
<p>Cheers,</p>
<p>Aspasía S. Bissas</p><img alt="🧿" height="20" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/14.0/1f9ff/72.png" width="20" />Aspasia Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903143756675674175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330673926964162519.post-57297111094426088272022-03-15T15:52:00.002-04:002022-03-15T15:52:34.784-04:00A Vampire's Kindness: Fiction<p>For those of you who haven’t
read it (or who feel like re-reading it): enjoy...</p>
<div style="text-align: left;"><figure aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2684" class="wp-caption alignnone" data-shortcode="caption" id="attachment_2684" style="width: 1018px;"><img alt="Interview with a Vampire, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2684" data-attachment-id="2684" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="<p>Photo by Festina Muhaxheri on <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/silhouette-of-a-person-3543620/" rel="nofollow">Pexels.com</a></p>
" data-image-description="<p>interview with a vampire, blog post, mara, amarantha, vampire, love lies bleeding, blood magic, tooth and claw, tooth &amp; claw, aspasiasbissas.com, historical fiction</p>
" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="silhouette of a person" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2020/05/pexels-photo-3543620.jpeg?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2020/05/pexels-photo-3543620.jpeg?w=235" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2020/05/pexels-photo-3543620.jpeg" data-orig-size="1018,1300" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/pexels-photo-3543620/" height="400" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2020/05/pexels-photo-3543620.jpeg" width="313" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-2684">Photo by Festina Muhaxheri on <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/silhouette-of-a-person-3543620/" rel="nofollow">Pexels.com</a></figcaption></figure></div>
<p>Note to the reader: the following text is transcribed from a document
found in the crawlspace of an old row house in Montreal, Quebec. The
owner of the building sent it to a local historical association, who are
now sharing it in hopes that someone might have more information.</p>
<pre>Interview with "Mara," a young woman who claims to be
a vampire
By J.S., editor at large
April 5, 1918.
J.S.: Could you please state your name for the record?
M: You can call me Mara.
J.S.: Is that your real name?
M: Real enough. It's the only one I have left.
J.S.: Could you tell me what you said when we met
earlier tonight?
M (does not reply)
J.S.: When we met, I asked what a young lady was doing
out alone in the middle of the night. How did you
respond?
M (smiles): I told you that I am a vampire.
J.S.: A vampire--like Mr. Stoker's Count Dracula?
M: As far as I know, he is fictional. I am not.
J.S.: What would you say to those who don't believe in
such creatures as vampires?
M: Your lack of belief doesn't make me any less real.
J.S.: How long do you claim to have been a vampire?
M: Most of my life.
J.S.: How long is that?
M: Isn't it impolite to ask a lady her age?
J.S.: Do you drink blood?
M: Of course.
J.S.: Where do you get it?
M: Wherever I can find it.
J.S.: From animals?
M: No.
J.S.: Do you have a reflection?
M (gets up and walks to the lavatory. She stares into
the mirror over the sink): It would seem so.
J.S.: Can you turn into a bat?
M (does not reply)
J.S.: How many other vampires are there?
M: More than your kind would care to consider.
J.S.: My kind? You mean mankind? Human beings?
M: Yes.
J.S.: Do you pay attention to human events? What do you
think of the Great War?
M: I wish I could be there, in the thick of it.
J.S.: Do you mean as a nurse?
M (laughs)
J.S.: Why do you want to be at the front? Isn't it
dangerous?
M: The danger is why. It's all death and chaos.
People die, people go missing--no one gives it
a second thought. Vampires do well in times of war.
J.S.: If that is the case, why aren't you there?
M: Someone else is there. He's looking for me. I do
not wish to be found.
J.S.: Who is there?
M: You should worry about the illness instead of
my acquaintances.
J.S.: The illness? Are you referring to the
Spanish Flu? There are rumours of epidemic.
M: The rumours are correct--the influenza is
spreading rapidly. I can smell it in the air.
J.S.: You can smell it? That must be handy.
M: It helps us to choose.
J.S.: What do you mean by 'choose'?
M: Most of us prefer blood from healthy specimens.
J.S.: And the rest?
M: We find those who don't have long. Some consider it
a kindness.
J.S.: Why are you telling me this?
M (does not reply)
J.S.: I don't have the Flu.
M: No, you have something deeper. In your bones.
J.S.: Oh, really? What does that smell like?
M: Like sour chalk and dry rot.
J.S.: Rot is right. You expect me to believe such
nonsense?
M: What about that ache that never seems to go away?
It's been getting worse, hasn't it?
J.S. (reluctant to respond)
J.S.: I have an appointment to see a doctor.
M: He won't be able to help you.
J.S.: How do you know?
M: They rarely can.
J.S.: Then what can anyone do for me?
M: I could prescribe you herbs, but they won't help,
either.
J.S.: A vampire and an apothecary? That is quite the
combination.
M: I learned my trade young and found that it
pays to keep humans healthy.
J.S.: Is that it, then? All you can offer are
ineffectual balms?
M: I can also offer you a kindness.
J.S.: You mean death.
M: Some prefer it to suffering.
J.S.: What if I refuse?
M: It's your choice. You have time to decide,
but not much.
J.S.: Where are you going?
M: I have other business to attend to. I'll return
in a fortnight. Tell me then what you've decided.
J.S.: Will it hurt?
M: I can make it so it doesn't.
M leaves and I finish recording our exchange.
I don't know why, perhaps for posterity.
<br />I am unsure how to proceed.
</pre>
<p>Want to read more about Mara? Download my books now….</p>
<p><img alt="Aspasia S. Bissas books: Love Lies Bleeding, Blood Magic, Tooth & Claw, book, books, free book, free books, freebies, freebie, free ebook, free ebooks, vampire, vampires, dark fantasy, dark romance, historical fiction, gothic fiction, gothic fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, horror, dark reads, indie author, indie fiction, strong female protagonist, aspasiasbissas.com" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-3823" data-attachment-id="3823" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="<p>Aspasia S. Bissas books: Love Lies Bleeding, Blood Magic, Tooth &amp; Claw</p>
" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Aspasia S. Bissas book covers" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png?w=300" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png" data-orig-size="768,369" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/2021/01/30/6-words-about-vampires/aspasia-s-bissas-book-covers/" height="307" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png" width="640" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Love Lies Bleeding:</b> <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/836190" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-lies-bleeding-aspas-a-s-bissas/1126975412?ean=2940155299646" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/love-lies-bleeding-20" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/love-lies-bleeding/id1399829729" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a><br /><b>FREE</b> <b>Blood Magic:</b> <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/816146" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blood-magic-aspasia-bissas/1128513750?ean=2940155217077" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/blood-magic-24" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/blood-magic/id1373159635?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a><br /><b>FREE</b> <b>Tooth & Claw:</b> <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/957288" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tooth-claw-aspasia-s-bissas/1133399443?ean=2940163330331" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/tooth-claw-2" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/tooth-claw/id1479238761" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">If you prefer paperback, use <a href="https://bookshop.org/books/love-lies-bleeding-9781775012528/9781775012528" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"><b>this link</b></a> to order<i> Love Lies Bleeding </i>from
Bookshop – a portion of each sale goes directly to independent
bookstores, as well as to myself. Thank you for supporting indie! ♥</p><p style="text-align: left;"> Cheers,</p><p style="text-align: left;">Aspasía S. Bissas </p><p style="text-align: left;">(Originally shared on my official site: <a href="http://AspasiaSBissas.com">AspasiaSBissas.com</a>)<br /></p>Aspasia Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903143756675674175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330673926964162519.post-76490872881786952842022-03-01T15:49:00.001-05:002022-03-01T15:49:30.157-05:00Book Quote and an Ask<div class="separator"><p style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Book quote and an Ask, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com. "Fangs sliding into flesh like a needle piercing silk." Tooth and Claw, Blood Magic, Love Lies Bleeding. Vampire, vampires." height="538" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/02/quote-1-tooth-and-claw-by-aspasia-s.-bissas.png?w=940" width="640" /></p></div><div class="is-root-container block-editor-block-list__layout" data-is-drop-zone="true"><p aria-label="Paragraph block" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" contenteditable="true" data-block="b88ab2e7-3367-4a31-ae83-1758ab66066d" data-empty="false" data-title="Paragraph" data-type="core/paragraph" id="block-b88ab2e7-3367-4a31-ae83-1758ab66066d" role="document" style="min-width: 1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0"> </p><p aria-label="Paragraph block" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" contenteditable="true" data-block="b88ab2e7-3367-4a31-ae83-1758ab66066d" data-empty="false" data-title="Paragraph" data-type="core/paragraph" id="block-b88ab2e7-3367-4a31-ae83-1758ab66066d" role="document" style="min-width: 1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0">If you've read and enjoyed any of my books, please take a minute now to leave a rating or review (links below). And if you haven't read my books yet, now is the perfect time to start...</p><div class="wp-block" data-align="center"><figure aria-label="Block: Image" class="block-editor-block-list__block size-large wp-block-image" data-block="e2ee9f43-cd58-449f-be1d-07f51f4073cd" data-title="Image" data-type="core/image" id="block-e2ee9f43-cd58-449f-be1d-07f51f4073cd" role="document" tabindex="0"><div><img alt="Aspasia S. Bissas books: Love Lies Bleeding, Blood Magic, Tooth & Claw, book, books, free book, free books, freebies, freebie, free ebook, free ebooks, vampire, vampires, dark fantasy, dark romance, historical fiction, gothic fiction, gothic fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, horror, dark reads, indie author, indie fiction, strong female protagonist, aspasiasbissas.com" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2021/01/aspasia-s.-bissas-book-covers.png?w=525" /></div></figure></div><h3 aria-label="Block: Heading" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-heading rich-text" contenteditable="true" data-block="80ae3ce9-71c9-4ada-836d-59813c6916c5" data-title="Heading" data-type="core/heading" id="block-80ae3ce9-71c9-4ada-836d-59813c6916c5" role="document" style="min-width: 1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0">Love Lies Bleeding</h3><p aria-label="Paragraph block" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" contenteditable="true" data-block="ee9d9cdf-ad24-44dc-b2ef-45ac4e4b7a58" data-empty="false" data-title="Paragraph" data-type="core/paragraph" id="block-ee9d9cdf-ad24-44dc-b2ef-45ac4e4b7a58" role="document" style="min-width: 1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0">A novel about delusion, obsession, and blood.</p><p aria-label="Paragraph block" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" contenteditable="true" data-block="8835836d-9f10-45fe-99ac-48e50b5872b9" data-empty="false" data-title="Paragraph" data-type="core/paragraph" id="block-8835836d-9f10-45fe-99ac-48e50b5872b9" role="document" style="min-width: 1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35524549-love-lies-bleeding?fbclid=IwAR32XQzLKMMGesJFtb9-Gx02zCseb4ZP_7a8_ulDvqdt4NcxW5t0uYJk86M" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></p><p aria-label="Paragraph block" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" contenteditable="true" data-block="f44a31ea-6d6e-459b-ba35-e2eb77f6234e" data-empty="false" data-title="Paragraph" data-type="core/paragraph" id="block-f44a31ea-6d6e-459b-ba35-e2eb77f6234e" role="document" style="min-width: 1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Love-Lies-Bleeding-Aspas%C3%ADa-Bissas-ebook/dp/B0731XNRS7/ref=sr_1_3?qid=1582908250&refinements=p_27%3AAspasia+S.+Bissas&s=digital-text&sr=1-3&text=Aspasia+S.+Bissas&fbclid=IwAR1cQ1SxV9Zs_3sA4-NAlJUlvh66QZ9XZpESTloIubKwwB1_qQLdwL68lb4" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Amazon</a></p><p aria-label="Paragraph block" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" contenteditable="true" data-block="b350491d-82c3-47c5-a750-0a64e2888cf9" data-empty="false" data-title="Paragraph" data-type="core/paragraph" id="block-b350491d-82c3-47c5-a750-0a64e2888cf9" role="document" style="min-width: 1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0"><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/836190" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">DOWNLOAD HERE</a></p><p aria-label="Paragraph block" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" contenteditable="true" data-block="a8ef627a-789d-46d6-b3ac-aff3a1bede0b" data-empty="false" data-title="Paragraph" data-type="core/paragraph" id="block-a8ef627a-789d-46d6-b3ac-aff3a1bede0b" role="document" style="min-width: 1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0">Paperback available from <strong><a href="https://bookshop.org/a/4897/9781775012528" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Bookshop</a></strong> – when you use this link, a portion of each sale goes directly to independent bookstores, as well as to myself. (It's also available on most other online book sites.)</p><p aria-label="Paragraph block" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" contenteditable="true" data-block="a8ef627a-789d-46d6-b3ac-aff3a1bede0b" data-empty="false" data-title="Paragraph" data-type="core/paragraph" id="block-a8ef627a-789d-46d6-b3ac-aff3a1bede0b" role="document" style="min-width: 1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0"> </p><h3 aria-label="Block: Heading" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-heading rich-text" contenteditable="true" data-block="f750d082-5ef3-47d4-a7dd-df0de79627b3" data-title="Heading" data-type="core/heading" id="block-f750d082-5ef3-47d4-a7dd-df0de79627b3" role="document" style="min-width: 1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0">Blood Magic</h3><p aria-label="Paragraph block" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" contenteditable="true" data-block="7a4eb857-f9d8-409b-9559-31f856676f91" data-empty="false" data-title="Paragraph" data-type="core/paragraph" id="block-7a4eb857-f9d8-409b-9559-31f856676f91" role="document" style="min-width: 1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0">Myth and magic collide in this story about choices, transformation, and retribution.</p><p aria-label="Paragraph block" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" contenteditable="true" data-block="2156a071-038b-4416-b1b9-2710e8da8aa9" data-empty="false" data-title="Paragraph" data-type="core/paragraph" id="block-2156a071-038b-4416-b1b9-2710e8da8aa9" role="document" style="min-width: 1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39896200-blood-magic" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Goodreads</a></p><p aria-label="Paragraph block" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" contenteditable="true" data-block="0a9946e4-e29c-4ef0-bc90-399dd0615cd5" data-empty="false" data-title="Paragraph" data-type="core/paragraph" id="block-0a9946e4-e29c-4ef0-bc90-399dd0615cd5" role="document" style="min-width: 1px; 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white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0"> </h3><h3 aria-label="Block: Heading" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-heading rich-text" contenteditable="true" data-block="59c13c95-ad9c-4dff-82d7-a7ff7c3b5c51" data-title="Heading" data-type="core/heading" id="block-59c13c95-ad9c-4dff-82d7-a7ff7c3b5c51" role="document" style="min-width: 1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0">Tooth & Claw</h3><p aria-label="Paragraph block" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" contenteditable="true" data-block="e55f53cf-7eb6-46c4-a782-eb06f6889759" data-empty="false" data-title="Paragraph" data-type="core/paragraph" id="block-e55f53cf-7eb6-46c4-a782-eb06f6889759" role="document" style="min-width: 1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0">A dark fantasy story about memory and delusion, violence and consequences; inspired by real events in Belle Époque France.</p><p aria-label="Paragraph block" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" contenteditable="true" data-block="90a6677f-2f7d-48a6-8227-08f24eb90b15" data-empty="false" data-title="Paragraph" data-type="core/paragraph" id="block-90a6677f-2f7d-48a6-8227-08f24eb90b15" role="document" style="min-width: 1px; 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white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0"> </p><p aria-label="Paragraph block" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" contenteditable="true" data-block="cf09baa8-c35e-434f-aee2-8f0a59290a71" data-empty="false" data-title="Paragraph" data-type="core/paragraph" id="block-cf09baa8-c35e-434f-aee2-8f0a59290a71" role="document" style="min-width: 1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0">Thank you for supporting authors ♥</p><p aria-label="Paragraph block" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" contenteditable="true" data-block="daed6138-03a8-4c65-b82b-db7de6c5a2d0" data-empty="false" data-title="Paragraph" data-type="core/paragraph" id="block-daed6138-03a8-4c65-b82b-db7de6c5a2d0" role="document" style="min-width: 1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0">Cheers,</p><p aria-label="Paragraph block" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable block-editor-block-list__block wp-block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" contenteditable="true" data-block="e4c79dc7-09f0-4f86-b967-3cce7b933f29" data-empty="false" data-title="Paragraph" data-type="core/paragraph" id="block-e4c79dc7-09f0-4f86-b967-3cce7b933f29" role="document" style="min-width: 1px; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0">Aspasía S. Bissas</p><figure aria-label="Block: Image" class="block-editor-block-list__block wp-block is-resized size-large is-selected wp-block-image" data-block="4192a41a-d1c7-4152-a135-9ca387e2133e" data-title="Image" data-type="core/image" id="block-4192a41a-d1c7-4152-a135-9ca387e2133e" role="document" tabindex="0"><div class="components-resizable-box__container has-show-handle" style="box-sizing: border-box; flex-shrink: 0; height: 20px; max-height: 1450px; max-width: 1450px; min-height: 20px; min-width: 20px; position: relative; user-select: auto; width: 19px;"><img alt="This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is image-2.png" height="20" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/02/image-2.png?w=72" width="20" /></div></figure></div>Aspasia Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903143756675674175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8330673926964162519.post-32030455522042269672022-02-15T15:05:00.000-05:002022-02-15T15:05:05.240-05:00Buffy and Angel<div class="separator"><p style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></p><p style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></p><p style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></p><p style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></p><p style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></p><p style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Buffy and Angel, blog post by Aspasia S, Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com. Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel the Series, vampire, vampires, the slayer, Joss Whedon" class="wp-image-5322" data-attachment-id="5322" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="buffy-and-angel-via-aspasia-s.-bissas" data-large-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/02/buffy-and-angel-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.png?w=525" data-medium-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/02/buffy-and-angel-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.png?w=225" data-orig-file="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/02/buffy-and-angel-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.png" data-orig-size="1524,2033" data-permalink="https://aspasiasbissas.com/buffy-and-angel-via-aspasia-s-bissas/" height="726" src="https://aspasiasbissas.files.wordpress.com/2022/02/buffy-and-angel-via-aspasia-s.-bissas.png?w=768" width="545" /></p></div><p>I’m a <em>Buffy/Angel</em> fan going way back. They’re shows I reference frequently and re-watch whenever I can. I’m re-watching them now.</p>
<h5 id="spoilers-ahead">Spoilers Ahead</h5>
<p>For those of you unfamiliar, “Buffy” is the show <em>Buffy the Vampire Slayer</em>,
as well as the heroine’s name. Buffy (the character) is one of a long
line of exclusively female vampire slayers magically imbued with powers
like fast healing and super strength. The show started out as an
allegory for the trials of high school and got more mature, and darker,
as the series went on.</p>
<p><em>Angel</em> (the series) is a spinoff of <em>BtVS</em>. Angel
(the character) is the rarest of the rare: a vampire with a soul.
Unfortunately, he loses his soul if he experiences a moment of “true
happiness,” which he does with Buffy. If any of you were traumatized
when <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5gc-7S1Y3E" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">The Doctor and Rose got split up</a>,
just know that it was nothing compared to the scene where Angel gets
his soul back. Then prepare yourselves for heartbreak #2 when, at the
end of Season 3 of <em>Buffy</em>, Angel realizes he and Buffy will
never work, so he leaves her for good. He ends up in L.A., starting a
new life as a private detective/helper of the helpless. <em>Angel</em> arguably has a better cast than <em>Buffy</em>, and aside from a few hiccups along the way, ended up as the more interesting show (imo).</p>
<p>I’ve just started Season 4 of <em>Buffy</em> (her first year of college) and Season 1 of <em>Angel</em>. Parts of the shows have held up well over time, other parts not so much. <em>Buffy</em>
is especially problematic, with fairly minor– but still there–
homophobia, fat shaming, slut shaming, token diverse characters getting
killed off, and outright sexist dialogue. In one episode Buffy herself
says Wesley (an adult man) screams “like a woman,” and compares Xander
and Angel to a pair of bickering “old women.” Part of that was the
culture at the time. You probably couldn’t find a show in the 90s that
didn’t include some cringe-worthy dialogue or storylines. And most of us
didn’t even notice. We were steeped in it to the point that it didn’t
stand out.</p>
<p>But part of it might also have had something to do with the showrunner, Joss Whedon, who– if you haven’t heard– has had several <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2022/01/18/joss-whedon-abuse-allegations/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">accusations</a> of bullying/abusive behaviour levelled at him by actors, including some that worked on <em>Buffy</em> and <em>Angel</em>. I believe these actors– they have nothing to gain by coming forward. What sucks for the fans, though, is that <em>Buffy</em>
was groundbreaking at the time. A female lead who…kicked ass? What’s
commonplace now was new and awesome back then. Whedon claimed to be a
feminist, and the fans thought he was an ally. We were wrong.</p>
<p>I don’t, however, think we should give up on these shows because of
an association with an allegedly awful person. Besides, Whedon was far
from the only person working on his shows, and to ignore everyone else’s
contributions is basically throwing out the baby with the bath water. I
know I’ll always keep watching. l now notice the problematic and
cringey parts, but I’m still here for all the good parts (which are the
majority). Because, even after all these years, Buffy still kicks ass.</p>
<p>Were/are you a fan of <em>Buffy</em> and/or <em>Angel</em>? How do you think they’ve held up? Share in the comments…</p>
<p>Want more vampires? Get my books…</p>
<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img alt="Aspasia S. Bissas books: Love Lies Bleeding, Blood Magic, Tooth & Claw, book, books, free book, free books, freebies, freebie, free ebook, free ebooks, vampire, vampires, dark fantasy, dark romance, historical fiction, gothic fiction, gothic fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, horror, dark reads, indie author, indie fiction, strong female protagonist, aspasiasbissas.com" class="wp-image-3823" data-attachment-id="3823" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-caption="" data-image-description="<p>Aspasia S. Bissas books: Love Lies Bleeding, Blood Magic, Tooth &amp; Claw</p>
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<p class="has-text-align-center">Love Lies Bleeding: <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/836190" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-lies-bleeding-aspas-a-s-bissas/1126975412?ean=2940155299646" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/love-lies-bleeding-20" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/love-lies-bleeding/id1399829729" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a><br />FREE Blood Magic: <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/816146" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blood-magic-aspasia-bissas/1128513750?ean=2940155217077" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/blood-magic-24" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/blood-magic/id1373159635?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a><br />FREE Tooth & Claw: <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/957288" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Smashwords</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tooth-claw-aspasia-s-bissas/1133399443?ean=2940163330331" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/tooth-claw-2" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Kobo</a>, <a href="https://books.apple.com/ca/book/tooth-claw/id1479238761" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Apple Books</a></p>
<p class="has-text-align-center">If you prefer paperback, use <a href="https://bookshop.org/books/love-lies-bleeding-9781775012528/9781775012528" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"><strong>this link</strong></a> to order<em> Love Lies Bleeding </em>from
Bookshop – a portion of each sale goes directly to independent
bookstores, as well as to myself. Thank you for supporting indie! ♥</p>
<p>Cheers,</p>
<p>Aspasía S. Bissas</p><p>(Originally posted on my official site: https://aspasiasbissas.com/2022/02/12/buffy-and-angel/) <br /></p>Aspasia Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07903143756675674175noreply@blogger.com0