Anchorage, Alaska
The vampire population may have created an economic boom in Alaska, but their altered energy field fries most technology. They rely on hard-living—and short-lived—couriers to get business done…couriers like Sydney Kildare.
Sydney has survived to the ripe old age of twenty-six by being careful. She’s careful when navigating her tempestuous clients, outrunning hijackers and avoiding anyone who might distract her from her plan of retiring young to a tropical, vampire-free island.
Her attitude—and immunity to vampires’ allure—have made her the target of a faction of vampires trying to reclaim their territory. Her only ally is Malcolm Kelly, a secretive charmer with the uncanny habit of showing up whenever she’s in trouble. Caught in the middle of a vampire turf war, Sydney has to count on Malcolm to help her survive, or the only place she’ll retire is her grave…
Interview with Regan Summers
I’m so excited to welcome author Regan Summers to my blog today. Regan is the author of Don’t Bite the Messenger, an urban fantasy novella with a unique take on vampires. Now, let’s jump right into the questions!
Don’t Bite the Messenger features a heroine who acts as a courier for vampires because their energy fields destroy any technology around them (such as phones and computers). You have, in my opinion—not to mention the opinion of many reviewers—created a world that is not only interesting and dynamic, but is also very unique. That’s not an easy thing to do with vampires these days. Where did this idea spring from?
There are so many vampire mythologies out there right now, with the glorious boom in urban fantasy and paranormal romance. The origins are fantastically diverse, from viruses to curses to alien origins. Yet the “traditional” vampires – those who were human, died, and rose again undead – more than often seem to be normal men who sort of incidentally lack a heartbeat and have an aversion to sunlight.
I wanted something that kept my undead walking and thinking and feeling, and I wanted that thing to have side effects. Vampires operate on a different frequency that’s hostile to electricity and things like cell phone waves. This isn’t just inconvenient for vampires; it has created cottage industries for enterprising humans. All Messenger stories will take place in those subcultures.
I have always found tough heroines appealing. Sydney, the heroine of Don’t Bite the Messenger, certainly qualifies as tough, but she also seems to show a softer side. How did you work in this balance?
There are those people who go through rough situations and emerge rough, and there are those who come through the other side wanting better. That’s the simple formula for constructing Sydney. I’ve never believed that, because a person has one characteristic, she can’t also have its opposite. Syd had a rotten childhood, ran away into a worse relationship, then opted to live on the street rather than endure abuse. She can compete in rough and tumble situations, but she’s not a hardass. In fact, she’s highly conscious of others in need.
While the focus of Don’t Bite the Messenger isn’t entirely on the romance, it definitely has some very touching—and very hot—moments. What do you think draws you—and your readers—in to enjoy this mix of danger and love?
Nothing heightens romance like pressing danger. In traditional romance, you’re rooting for the couple to get together. In a story like this, you’re also on the edge of your seat waiting to see if the couple survives, let alone gets a shot at a happily ever after. What’s not to like about that? 
Don’t Bite the Messenger has a lot of amazing crashes and explosions. What do you do when you are not writing? Build your knowledge of explosives through experimentation, perhaps?
I’m not a chemist or a munitions expert, though I’m fairly certain my search engine’s history has me on at least a few watch lists. I do physically block action scenes to make sure they are plausible for a human woman (I take some liberties, Syd being taller and more fit than I). And I may or may not have spent several years observing urban war games firsthand. That is all I will say on that matter. *whistles innocently*
Your characters really draw readers in, why do you think that is? Other than Malcolm’s hotness, of course.
Oh, is he hot? I totally hadn’t noticed. *fans self* What can I say about Malcolm? He’s not your standard paranormal romance alpha male. He maintains a subtle arsenal of character-based weapons, pretty much all he’s allowed within the confines of his oath (I won’t say more on that as I don’t want to spoil anything).
And Syd? It’s easy to root for someone who maintains their integrity and keeps getting back up no matter how big the people pushing her around are. Plus, regardless of what life throws at or takes from her, she maintains her sense of humor. I guess what I’m saying is that she’s stubborn and easily amused, and I hope people like that.
I think I speak for just about everyone who has read this awesome, unique story when I say that I can’t wait to read more about this world. Where do you see Sydney and Malcolm going from here? A happy retirement? Or can readers look forward to more love and danger and (of course) car chases?
Thank you so much for saying so! I really appreciate that.
I won’t spoil it for those who haven’t read Messenger, but I will say that the next installment is not the story of an idyllic retirement. Messenger II (catchy working title, no?) will take Syd far outside of her comfort zone and challenge the tentative couple. Malcolm’s past rears its many heads, and at least one of them is seriously ugly. Also, there is a Hot Kitchen Scene ™. (<– That’s not really trademarked, at least not by me.)
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