It’s not often that I get completely blindsided by a book, one that not only meets all of my picky paranormal fiction requirements but actually surpasses them. That’s exactly what happened with Rebecca Maizel’s Paranormal YA debut INFINITE DAYS, which will be published on August 3, 2010. I described it as, “a grab you by the throat, ignore the world around you, fall completely in love with kind of book, the kind I haven’t really read since Twilight.” (read my full review HERE). Still in a delicious daze from her book, I invited author Rebecca Maizel for an interview to wring out every detail to find out more about her truly lovely new series.
Rebecca Maizel graduated from Boston University and the Rhode Island College master’s program. She teaches community college in Rhode Island and is studying to receive her MFA from Vermont College.
Interview
ATUF: How would you explain the story of INFINITE DAYS to someone considering reading it?
RM: More than anything it’s a story about humanity. I’ve said this in other interviews but Infinite Days is really a story about coming out of the darkness. Come on, we’ve all done things in our past that we regret and we wish we could take back. That theme is really prevalent in this book. Read this book if you like romance. Read this book if you want to go deep in someone’s mind – the mind of a ruthless supernatural creature. A dark creature that is given a second chance at the light.
ATUF: I flat out loved your take on vampires in INFINITE DAYS, specifically their deadened senses. How important was it for you to make your vampires distinctive and what was your favorite break from traditional vampire mythology?
RM: First of all, thank you so much. And second, I know this answer is going to be lame but I really thought about my vampires in terms of the story. I knew more than anything that Lenah would need a reason to want to be human. The stakes would have to be high – if she didn’t desire it more than anything else in the world, more than eternity with Rhode, it wouldn’t pay off for the reader why she was at Wickham in the first place. So I asked myself: what is the worst thing about Lenah’s existence? What is the one thing she wants more than anything else that is specifically human? To feel emotions and to touch. So I took that away from her as a vampire. By deadening the senses it only added to her isolation from the rest of the world.
ATUF: In my review, I mentioned how powerful I found the early scenes of Lenah's human life as she experienced her many firsts as a human. Was there a particular first for Lenah that was your favorite?
RM: If you’ve read the book…all I will say is one word: GREENHOUSE. Okay, I’ll say two words: Nasturtium and greenhouse. J
ATUF: On your blog, you took part in a video with several other YA authors talking about 'What Makes a Good Love Interest?" and you spoke about credibility, absolutely believing that two characters are destined for each other. How did you establish that credibility with Lenah and Justin?
RM: Thanks for watching that vlog. I always think I’m an idiot and never know what to say. But to answer your question, it’s funny actually. Lenah falls for the hot guy on campus and some people have had really strong reactions to this about this but here’s the thing about Lenah, SHE WAS DEAD! She felt nothing! Of course she would be attracted to the most alive person she comes across. Justin is dangerous, a risk taker and sexy. More than that, he comes from a good home. Lenah hasn’t had her family near her or been able to associate her emotions with her body in 500 years so when she sees Justin, it’s all she’s wanted – human touch and a family. It’s also all about the way he makes her feel not only emotionally but in her body. By the way, Rhode, well...Rhode is an entirely different story…
ATUF: Throughout INFINITE DAYS, Lenah remembers various key moments from her life as a vampire and even before that. How did you decide to incorporate flashback scenes and do you plan on more flashbacks in future Vampire Queen books?
RM: Flashbacks are tricky. I think if you write a flashback you have to know, in your heart that the flashback you are writing is indicative to the plot. No flashback included in the book is to be trifled with – what I mean is that they each have a purpose even in later in the trilogy. One memory in specific (muhhahaha…) I included flashbacks because I knew that Lenah’s human experience would have no context if we didn’t understand her as a vampire. You, as the reader, wouldn’t appreciate her changing perception of the human world without first seeing what evil she was capable of as a vampire.
ATUF: If INFINITE DAYS were ever made into a movie, who would your dream or, to keep things interesting, nightmare cast be?
RM: Another interviewer asked me this question and to be fair I think I have to give the same response! I absolutely LOVE this question and DO have a dream cast picked out. I will tell you if you email me: RebeccaMaizelAuthor@gmail.com or DM me on twitter: Rebeccajoym I’m afraid if I mention an actor you’ll have that person in your head and will be cursing me from your favorite reading chair.
ATUF: INFINITE DAYS is the first book in the Vampire Queen series. When is the next book coming out and what can you tell us about your plans for the series overall?
RM: I believe STOLEN NIGHTS comes out March 2011. I am finishing the draft now. I can tell you that whatever happens in book 2 has been set up in book 1. The seeds are planted…you just have to look for them.
ATUF: Do you have any other projects that can we look forward to reading from you soon?
ATUF: What are some of your favorite titles/authors in the paranormal genres?
ATUF: If INFINITE DAYS were a Frankenstein book compiled from elements of other books/movies/TV shows, what would some of those other books be?
RM: It’s a mix of pictures and images from my life. I really didn’t read a single vampire book until Infinite Days was drafted. You know, I think I’m better off because once I did write Infinite Days, I went out and read what else was in the genre. This was completely intimidating!
ATUF: Thanks so much for stopping by Rebecca. Come back anytime!
Visit Rebecca online:
INFINITE DAYS (Vampire Queen, book 1) by Rebecca Maizel
Available on August 3, 2010
Book Description
"Throughout all my histories, I found no one I loved more than you...no one."
Those were some of Rhode's last words to me. The last time he would pronounce his love. The last time I would see his face.
It was the first time in 592 years I could take a breath. Lay in the sun. Taste.
Rhode sacrificed himself so I, Lenah Beaudonte, could be human again. So I could stop the blood lust.
I never expected to fall in love with someone else that wasn't Rhode.
But Justin was...daring. Exciting. More beautiful than I could dream.
I never expected to be sixteen again...then again, I never expected my past to come back and haunt me...
Click HERE to read an excerpt from INFINITE DAYS
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