Sunday, December 15, 2013

Very Paranormal Holidays Blog Hop: December 15-30

http://blog.kallysten.net/2013/12/a-very-paranormal-holidays-blog-hop.html


Wishing you Very Paranormal Holidays...

So glad to join my good friend Tricia Schneider in another great paranormal blog hop!

Authors Kallysten and Tricia Schneider organized this Very Paranormal Holidays Blog Hop to share their love for paranormal romance, help you discover new authors, win books, prizes... and maybe a brand new Kindle Fire! Be sure to fill out the entry form at the end of this post... and good luck!

This holiday I am especially excited--I'll be unveiling the cover of the latest Demimonde book WOLF'S BANE in a few days. This cover is rockin' and well it should, since one of the Weres is pretty rockin' himself. (I can't keep the grin off my face just mentioning him.) Hope you'll join me on Dec. 20th when we unveil the cover...

Until then, I'll keep busy re-watching episodes of NBC's Dracula. Although the title character is the guy to watch (JRM is a favorite actor of mine, even when he portrays awful men), I find the most compelling character in the series to be Renfield.

Yes, I said Renfield.

I've come across a lot of Renfields in my time. Remember the creepy bug eater from Gary Oldman's version? YECK. Just--yeck.

Much more amusing was Xander's unwilling assumption of the role in the Buffy TVS episode. (Season 5 Episode 1) Xander was pretty much an awesome Renfield and, until this year, had held the coveted place of honor as BEST RENFIELD EVER.

But, alas. Xander has been dislodged from his lofty perch by the newest Renfield, because this particular incarnation is simply perfection.

Unlike Dracula's previous day walkers, the new Renfield is noble, devoted, and completely loyal to Dracula... by choice. Recently, I watched the episode of Renfield's origin story and found out there was even more reason to adore the guy.

Remember how Xander tried to fight the vampire's compulsion? Hysterical, really. But our new day walker isn't bespelled--he chooses to serve, because Dracula saved him from a fatal beating. Rennie's fealty was born out of gratitude.

See, Rennie was a lawyer--a cunning and shrewd man who can size up the chess board and spot the strongest piece. Small wonder he speaks up and provides key financial information that would benefit Alexander Grayson (Dracula's human alias)-- he could tell the strongest player was Mr. Grayson, and took a chance to align himself with him.

It earned him a solid clubbing from the men trying to foil Grayson. Broken, bleeding, and staring down a bullet, Renfield watched Grayson massacre every last man in the room. Dracula took Rennie to safety, thus earning his gratitude and unfaltering loyalty forever.

That was the element that had kept me from truly resonating with the Renfield character all these years--free will. I'm not big on slavery and I really don't like the idea of being forced to do something that I don't want. There was always an element of coercion involved in the character, until now.

And I think it adds a definite spin on Dracula's character, as well. He didn't force Renfield's hand, or his mind, or his spirit. He earned Renfield's service. Makes Dracula all the more compelling, I think. He is bewitching through his actions, his cunning, and his persuasion--not through a magic force that humans can't ignore. (Plus, he's got those JRM eyes. Never hurts.)

What about you--are you a fan of Dracula? What do you think about his day walker, Renfield?

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29 comments:

  1. I'm no Dracula expert, so I didn't know about Renfield, but a good Xander scenario is reason enough to check it out!

    vitajex(at)Aol(Dot)com

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  2. I love Dracula, though I haven't watched the show. (I don't watch much TV - I read and read and read.) I agree with you, a Reinfeld that is a willing servant is more appealing (though "appealing" is used loosely) than a servant who is forced through compulsion.

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  3. I thought I would like the TV show Dracula but it just didn't grab me like I thought it would so I guess you can say I am old school Dracula.

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  4. I love anything that has to do with vampires stories, movies etc!

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  5. Love Jonathan as Dracula! angelarosebooks@yahoo.com

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  6. Are you a fan of Dracula, classic or contemporary? Love both! Of course I just love Jonathan in anything he does. lol

    What do you think about his day walker, Renfield? Interesting character and would love some more back story about him.

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  7. Of course, I love Gary Oldman in Bram Stoker's Dracula..."I have crossed oceans of time to find you." Swoon!! Are you a Gerard Butler fan? (Have we talked about this??) Dracula 2000 is when I fell in love with Gerry. (Yes, I get to call him Gerry.) Now this new Dracula bothers me because of his American accent. Just rubs me the wrong way. I have certain standards. But, Renfield is the reason I want to watch more of the show! He intrigues me! We must discuss this further. Btw...I cannot wait to see your new cover!!!

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    1. Drac 2k is my FAVORITE! The whole back story is what got me. Annnnd Omar Epps 😊

      Yes, I hate JRM's nasally accent, too. Give me straight up JRM and I'll be happy!

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  8. I absolutely love NBC's Dracula. I have a soft spot for Jonathan. Though I can I want to know about Renfield. I believe that the secrets he holds will be intriguing
    Mariap_sanchez@yahoo.com

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  9. I know this is off topic but just want to say, the new cover rocks! :-)

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  10. I have always been fascinated by Dracula, even as a small child. Unfortunately, I haven't gotten to watch but the first episode of the new one, so I will have to reserve my opinion on that one until a future date. Thanks for sharing the hop and your wonderful post and the giveaway. Wishing everyone a wonderful and magical holiday season! evamillien at gmail dot com

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  11. Not really a fan but I've seen some of NBC's Dracula and I want my own Renfield.
    bituin76 at hotmail dot com

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  12. Even though I enjoy reading all types of vampire stories, the classic Dracula is my favorite. Thanks for the great giveaway. Merry Christmas!
    bhometchko(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  13. I am also a JRM fan...but didn't really get into the new Dracula. I watched a couple of episodes, but I thought it was slow going. And in addition to liking JRM, I'm also a vamp fan. I adored the Buffy Dracula episode...and also later on Angel when Angel & Spike were trying to "rescue" Buffy from Dracula in Rome.

    Has the new Dracula gotten better...picked up any?
    catherinelee100 at gmail dot com

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    1. Yes and no. A new twist amped up the conflict but I feel like I'm still waiting for something to happen. Fingers crossed for a big payoff...and I still have Renfield 😃

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  14. I don't like any version of Dracula, because he's too creepy for me, but I loved the Buffy series.

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  15. classic Dracula

    devynsmom95@yahoo.com

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  16. I tried to watch the new Dracula series, but I just couldn't get into it. I was so confused I gave up! I did love the man they had play Renfield! Very hot!!! And JRM as Dracula was great too...the show was just...too much.
    Thanks for joining in on the hop!
    Ashley A
    ash_app@hotmail.com

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  17. I've always been a old school Dracula fan, it's a classic how can you not. The new Dracula is ok, I like looking at the sexy JRM more than I like the dhow, however I do really like Renfield.

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  18. I'm more a fan of contemporary vampire stories.

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  19. Not a fan of the vamps. I think Forever Night was the last vamp show I watched religiously. (Yes, I admit I didn't subscibe to the Buffy KoolAid)

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  20. I like the new Dracula's. They are sexier. As form Renfeld. Somebody needs to watch over the vampire

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  21. Dracula, thanks for the giveaway. Have a safe and Happy New Years.

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  22. I love Dracula, both classic and the modern form! I love Renfield as a day walker, but not one that is "enslaved", but if it is of free will because it is a family tradition or oath, that is good. I cried when they tortured him, but as a true day walker companion, he was loyal!

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  23. Love the classic Drac... Have a very Happy New Year

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