A Note:

6/2/13

I once told myself: IF I am accepted into grad school, this blog would no longer be updated. As it turns out, in April, I received news of my acceptance for the Fall 2013 semester, where I will attain a Master's degree of Science in Nutrition.

Running a blog, as many of you may already know, is a demanding side job once the excitement wears off. And once I fell out of the blogging community's loop (have you SEEN how many blogs there are now? Wow!), it was like the kiss of death. Despite my best efforts, I couldn't get into a blogging routine once this happened due to the disconnect I felt from the community.

So I took a break. I struggled with the loss and with missing my blog. And then I realized I didn't have to run Book Faery to still be a book reviewer; I could read my books and post reviews online. I'm still a book review blogger, just not in the traditional sense.

I'll still be online. You can chat with me on Twitter, where I'll be posting links to my reviews and talking books. I'll also be posting links to nutrition articles. And if you'd like to connect with me where I guarantee I will post reviews, just add me as a friend on Goodreads.

So that's all, folks! It's been a fun and amazing journey, and I thank you all for listening to my thoughts about books. I hope we all can keep in touch elsewhere :)

Tori

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Guest Post and Giveaway with Merrie DeStefano!

Why I Love The Bad Guys
By Merrie Destefano

I’m one of those people who doesn’t like to be scared. Ask me to go to the latest horror movie or offer to lend me Stephen King’s latest book, and I’ll probably say no. Then again, I might say, “Hell, no.” Either way, the answer is, I’m not going to do it. Even movies that most people think are great fun—like Super 8—put me on edge and make me want to run away, screaming. Anybody remember that scene in Super 8 at the gas station? At that point, it felt like somebody had off peeled my skin and was getting ready to gouge out my eyes. It took all my courage and more to sit through the rest of the movie.

It always surprises my friends when I tell them stuff like that. They say something like, “But, you write scary books.” And I say, “I do?”

Really?

Apparently writing scary stories is my way of being in control of the monsters. I’ve always known that they were real and hiding under my bed/in my closet/in the back seat of my car. Whenever I write, I get a chance to expose the scary monster for who and what he is, thereby taking some of the scratch out of his claws.

That said, I really like my bad guys. Now, don’t confuse my main character—who is almost always slightly rebellious and might be called a bad boy—with my actual bad guy. In my first book, Afterlife: The Resurrection Chronicles, Chaz was quite the rebel-with-a-twisted-cause, but Neville was definitely the bad guy. He was the one who would give you nightmares. I loved writing him, because he gave me the opportunity to explore the dark, creepy underbelly of the world. Without him, the reader never would have seen just how horrific the whole resurrection system had become.

Likewise, in my new book, Feast: Harvest of Dreams, you might think Ash is dangerous and charismatic and somebody to stay away from. Okay, I can give you that. But he is far from being the bad guy. Take a closer look at Thane, one of Ash’s Darkling cousins, and tell me who the bad guy in this book really is. Thane can give me the shivers just thinking about him.

That’s one reason I love Thane—he’s scary, through and through. I never questioned his motives. I understood him like the keys on my keyboard. He was fantastically sinister; he took all the Darkling characteristics and transformed them into something truly evil. He showed the reader just how dangerous a Darkling could be.

My story elements are never completely set up and my book in not ready to write until I have my villain. He becomes the driving force behind the story, pushing the other characters around the chess board like a hot iron. He stands in direct opposition to my main characters, and this conflict is what creates the story.

So, do I love my scary bad guys? You bet I do. I wouldn’t be a good writer if I didn’t.


My question for you is this: What scary bad guy have you loved? Try not to get the bad guy confused with the bad boy. I’m talking Hannibal Lector here, not Mad Max. So, what scary bad guy made a strong impression on you, so much that you’ve never been able to forget him? And as much as you love to hate him, can you imagine that story without him?


Merrie Destefano left a 9-to-5 desk job as a magazine editor to become a full-time novelist and freelance editor. Her first novel, Afterlife: The Resurrection Chronicles, is an urban fantasy published by HarperCollins/Eos, and her second novel, Feast: Harvest of Dreams releases June 28, 2011. With twenty years’ experience in publishing, her background includes editor of Victorian Homes magazine and founding editor of Cottages & Bungalows magazine. Born in the Midwest, she currently lives in Southern California with her husband, their two German shepherds, a Siamese cat and the occasional wandering possum. Her favorite hobbies include reading speculative fiction and watching old Star Trek episodes, while her incurable addiction is writing. She loves to camp in the mountains, walk on the beach, watch old movies and listen to alternative music—although rarely all at the same time. For more information, visit her website at www.merriedestefano.com.










Want to win everything in the picture below?

Giveaway Guidelines:
* Open Internationally! Thank you Merrie!
* Answer Merrie's question
* Leave your email in the comments section so I can contact you
* Giveaway ends July 6th

Extra Entries:
* Link back to this giveaway on some social networking site or on your blog. Be sure to include the link to your post in your giveaway entry--and make sure that I can view it! (For every site you do this on, you'll receive one extra entry)

43 comments:

  1. In Cheyene McCray's Magic Series there's this Formori names Junga. I really can't remember the human that was with her's name. I'm awful with names, but their actions really stuck in my head. I don't know if I loved them persay, I don't really swing toward woman or odd monkey like creatures that steal human bodies. I'm going to sound like some sort of perv when I explain why the two characters were memorable, but really I'm not, I promised. Junga and the Human Guy whose name I can't recall had a physical relationship, one that was often times multi-partnered. The scenes and characters are memorable because of the contrast between those and the scenes of the two leading characters sex lives. They show the difference between sex just for the sake of hormones and sex and sex that occurs as a result of mutual deeply felt feelings. The characters also did a lot of other crazy awful things in the books, but what makes them memorable is their highly degrading sex life. I hope this answer suitable answers the question. I know it's a little off because I didn't name a bad guy for the bad things he did, but rather the contrast, but they're the most memorable bad guys I can think of.

    Great contest. Email is jennlovesed14 at gmail

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  2. Oh and since I forgot to do this before answering http://twitter.com/#!/jdonnelly14/status/85932720840118274

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  3. I seriously need to prewrite my comments. I realized I only answered half the question. I couldn't imagine the story without Junga or the dude who's name I can't remember because my memory sucks. I think without those scenes the scenes between the two main characters wouldn't have seemed as emotional or I guess you'd say romantic and without the things they did outside the bedroom there would obviously have been no conflict. Sorry about the three comment thing I really didn't mean to do that.

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  4. I have this habit of liking the bad guy in movies. One time I told to a friend who I thought the bad guy was in a movie long before it was apparant and the response was: "Of course he's the bad guy: You like him!"

    The downside of liking bad guys: They usually die!

    As for noteable bad guy: Jean-François from le Pacte des loups (Brotherhood of the Wolf) It's all in the attitude!

    sullivanmcpig(at)gmail(dot(com)

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  5. Actually you have just mentioned the bad guy that always comes to mind namely Hannibal Lector. That scene in the movie of him serving up a bit of a characters own brain to the character really chilled me !

    I have read all three the books and I suppose when one considers his early history, perhaps one can understand him better.

    Thanks for the giveaway and for opening it to International entries.

    Carol T

    buddytho {at} gmail DOT com

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  6. Great contest! I would love to win it all :) So pretty. <3 I wish I had an answer for that question, but I really don't. I haven't read any books with an scary bad guy like that that I liked or anything like it.. I see that people are answering Hannibal Lector, but, well, I have never watched that movie (A) Hih ;p
    Love, Carina ~ carina-olsen@hotmail.com

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  7. I would say randall flagg, in the stand. He is literally the devil, but for some reason, I really like him. I think maybe because he was written so that you would think he was okay, and had a sense of humor, until you dug a little deeper.
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

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  8. I also like Randall Flagg from the stand. Even though he is the bad guy, I think he is cute and he does have a sense of humor. He is very confident that he is going to win no matter what. I think his sense of humor sticks with me the most. I don't like his evil side though. I know he is the devil. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

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  9. It's gotta be the Malik (sp?) character from Dan Brown's most recent book, the Lost Symbol. That is the most evil mastermind I've character ever read in a book :)

    juliecookies(at)gmail.com

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  10. I have to say Dorian from Richelle Mead's Dark Swan series. Okay, he's not that scary, and it is yet to be determined whether he's really a bad guy, but he definitely uses Eugenie for his own gain. And he can be so maddeningly frustrating, as he'll look like a good guy, but then do something so jerky you wish he was real so you could hit him. But he is one of the most wonderfully memorable characters ever, and this series would definitely not be the same without him.

    b(dot)cardone(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  11. I loved LOVED Jeniffer Armintrout's Cyrus. He was pure evil and had no conscience what-so-ever, was a blast to read.

    robin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com

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  12. Wow! I loved reading all of your comments! You have all given me some great ideas of what books to read next.

    Tori, Thanks SO much for inviting me to be part of your blog today! I'm having a great time. ;)

    And thank you to everyone who has been posting comments!

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  13. Of course Merrie. My blog is always at your disposal lol :)

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  14. Oh hmm well... I would have to say that
    Lector was something but I would also have to say that I loved Magneto. He was a considered one bad dude.

    terilhack at gmail dot com

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  15. I'm a lightweight. I was scared by Jack Nicholson as the Joker in Batman.

    I don't watch scary movies and keep my book reading to non-horror. Yes, I know UF is considered horror in most cases. But I don't.

    How's that for a contradiction???

    mariabmbooks
    at
    sbcglobal
    {dot}
    net

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  16. Hm... I would say Frankenstein's monster in the Mary Shelly adaptation. Oh that scared the beegeebus out of me! O.o
    books (Dot) things (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  17. I have to say I'm a little surprised (and proud) that no one has chosen the easy answer of Lord Voldemort, Cam in Twilight, Umbridge of HP, or even the Sith Lord. I have to admit, I don't read too many books with what I consider to be a true villian, but I would have to say that Bill Sikes of Oliver Twist would be pretty high in the running. The story just wouldn't be the same without that monstrosity.

    Great sway! Can't wait to read the book. :)

    devonashleywritesATyahooDOTcom

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  18. Since I love SciFi, I'm going with Darth Vader from Star Wars, as well as the Alien from the Alien movies.

    Barbed1951 at aol dot com

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  19. Well of course Hannibal Lector. Seriously those stories couldnt happen without him. Dracula is another. Oh and Frankenstein. Are a few.

    link - http://donnasbloghome.blogspot.com/2011/06/book-faery-guest-post-and-giveaway-with.html

    tweet - http://twitter.com/#!/DonnaS1/status/86225992632369154

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

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  20. Hmmm...that's a tough call. Does Magneto from the X-men count? I can sympathize with how he feels, and he does have an attractive personality (yes, that was bad. ;))

    heatwave96(at)hotmail.com

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  21. Bad guy who made me a strong impression is Joker. I think Joker was made to be loved and hated because he is the exact opposite of the batman. When batman is dark and secretive, he is colourful and charismatic. He is evil, when he brought that out, it really makes you think when you see that side, It's intriguing regardless if you agree with it.
    I can't imagine batman without him.

    I shared it on FB: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1522821560

    Thanks for the great giveaway!

    artgiote at gmail dot com

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  22. Sorry, I forgot my twitter post: https://twitter.com/#!/artdem83/status/86431513830359040

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  23. Hmmm... which anti-hero / bad guy???
    I like series where the characters move across the line from good to bad - due to most recent reading I'm thinking some of the guys in Mercy Thompson books: Stefan the vamp / Zee the fey / YoYo girl...
    They play their own game, and you can't be sure if they are for or against the characters.
    Movie wise Darth Vader (in episodes 4-6, i didn't want his back story, i like him evil ;-)
    TV, I liked Spike in Buffy - when he was bad he was very very bad!

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  24. oops hit enter before putting in email...
    mell 61 (at) hotmail (dot) com

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  25. I have always liked the actors that play the bad guys so I tend to like them more. One of my favorites is from The Fifth Element, Jean-Batiste Zorg, played wonderfully by Gary Oldman. A second of his great bad guy performances is from True Romance, Drexl Spivey, he does bad so good!

    claddagh64 at yahoo dot com

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  26. How about a bad girl? The White Witch would definitely be one of my top choices, both in the books and the new films.

    Also Angelus from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. The fact that he wore the face of a former ally and friend made him all the more chilling.

    Ooo - and the Sheriff of Nottingham from the recent BBC Robin Hood. He had so much fun being evil.

    theloneislands at yahoo dot com

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  27. I would have to say volemort from harry potter, I loved him and the books definetely wouldnt be the same without him! :)

    My email is, lil_cheetah_85@hotmail.com

    thanks for the awesome giveaway by the way! :D

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  28. Oh this is a easy one for me to answer. There was one of the WishMaster movies in which the djinn just wanted the girl to love him and be with him and he was serious. He told her he would give her everything she ever wanted no funny business. But in order to have that she would have to make the three wishes and open the gate to hell to let all the demons in to earth and she wasn't willing to do that. I kinda felt bad for the djinn though and if things had been different in the movie she might have fallen for the poor demon...lol

    miztik_rose@yahoo.com

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  29. Not to sound to YA addict but Voldemort from Harry Potter. There is no way the series could exist without him!

    Tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/PelicanJL/status/87619879926104066

    PelicanJL@hotmail.com

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  30. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  31. Oooh, which baddie do I love the most? I'm definitely a villain kinda girl, so I think I'm going to go with Philippa Gregory's portrayal of Anne Boleyn in The Other Boleyn Girl. She was positively vicious behind that smile of hers.

    Though, my little nerdy heart will also love Bellatrix Lestrange and Voldemort from the Harry Potter series, too!



    Smiles!
    Lori

    serena423@yahoo.com

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  32. I would have to say Draco Malfoy from Harry Potter. Although he was not a bad, bad, BAD guy, he really was bad! I would like to add Lort Voldemort but I'm afraid everyone will be saying him!

    Thanks for a great giveaway! I love swag!!

    jwitt33 at live dot com

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  33. I also tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/jwitt33/status/88018201216172032

    Thanks!!

    jwitt33@live.com

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  34. In her debut novel Embers Laura Bickle had such a complex and layered bad guy hero (Drake), who was completely gray (as in not black and white good or bad guy), that I felt torn whether to root for him or against him. Wonderful characterisation as Laura Bickle left me completely confused :-D

    Thank you for the great post and giveaway Merrie! :-)

    +1 tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/Stella_ExLibris/status/88358394964099072

    +1 posted on FB too: http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=180778218648617&id=100000899165880

    stella.exlibris (at) gmail (dot) com

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  35. I would go with V'lane from the Karen Marie Moning Fever series. I loved that bad guy =) Please count me in for your contest. Thanks.

    +1 tweeted at http://twitter.com/#!/Tanya1224/status/88601831000907776

    Tanyaw1224(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  36. I love Dexter. He's a serial killer but for some reason you just wanna be on his side, lol

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  37. I'm going to have to say Voldemort. I stayed up half the night reading book four, and then stayed up the rest of the night because I couldn't sleep. He frightened me, but he also intrigued me.

    Sara M
    sara_UFblog [at] yahoo [dot] com

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  38. I'm with Karen and going with Zorg,from The Fifth Element. Awesomely evil!
    And of course, email winonaolsen at gmail dotcom

    Thanks!

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  39. I'd have to say my favorite bad guy is Sammy Divine from Terri Garey's Nicky Styx series. He's charming and mysterious one minute, causing trouble for the heroine the next! There is absolutely no way that the books would be the same without him. His presence has a major impact on Nicki's life. Without his character, he wouldnt be the main character in Terri's brand new series!

    Shared here:
    http://www.facebook.com/#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=247009141976359&id=538190736

    http://twitter.com/#!/Kalliandra/status/88808100915707905

    Kalliandra2007(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  40. I shared on Facebook: Michele Clark Powell
    AND
    Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/MichoJolie/status/88813682318000129

    And my favorite Bad Guy is Voldemort. I also had a dream Freddy Krueger was after me (Via Nightmare on Elm St 1) and I was so happy when I woke up! Go figure!

    nedsped at verizon dot net

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  41. Well I can't seem to come up with an evil character in a book that compares to the evil of my ex-husband. He was awful to me and I loved him anyway and for way too long. LOL After that the meanies in the books I read are pussycats in comparison.
    Thanks for the Giveaway! I hope I win.

    musicalfrog at comcast dot net

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  42. Heath Ledger's Dracula without a doubt!!

    mk261274 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete