Vampire characters are ubiquitous in popular culture, serving as metaphors for society's most sensitive subjects--sexuality, gender roles, race, ethnicity, class--and often channeling widespread fears of immigration, crime, terrorism and addiction. This book explores pop culture's vampires variously as sexual seducers, savage monsters, noble protectors and drainers of human power. The author discusses three real-life role models for vampire characters.

The Legend. The Immortal. My… Fiancé? Life as a vampire is anything but dull, especially for me. I’m still trying to sink my fangs into this whole undead business. But just when I thought I had a handle on my new nocturnal lifestyle, I’m hit with the next challenge—introducing my soulmate and love of my life, Dracula, to my family. Think your family dinners are tense? Try bringing home the Prince of Darkness himself. As if that isn’t enough, the Queen of Vampires has sent one of her inquisitors to question us about her mate’s untimely demise—courtesy of yours truly. It seems self-defense doesn’t fly in vampire court. Man, my life has become really dangerous since dying. Who knew eternity would consist of surviving family gatherings and dodging a vengeful vampire queen? If we get through this, we’re definitely taking that long vacation I’ve been dreaming of—one with a moonlit pool and my sexy mate playing the role of a naked Cabana boy. Wish me luck. I’m certainly going to need it.

A collection of four graphic comics that follow the strange and romantic adventures of Ferdinand the vampire and his friends.

In this new monograph, author Debra Dudek defines a new era of vampire texts in which vampires have moved from their iconic dark, feared, often seductive figure lingering in alleys, to the beloved and morally sensitive vampire winning the affections of teen protagonists throughout pop culture. Dudek takes a close look at three hugely-popular vampire series for young adults, drawing parallels between the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the Twilight Saga novels/films, and The Vampire Diaries TV series/book series. By defining a new era of vampire texts and situating these three series within this transition, The Beloved Does Not Bite signals their significance and lays the groundwork for future scholarship on the flourishing genre of paranormal romances for young adults.

Love At First Bite Nightclub dancer Chloe Lamoureaux just met the man of her dreams: Aidan Raines is charming, considerate, rich, and hot. Of course, he's a little mysterious about his age. And his favorite drink. And he's not much for sunlight. But he's asked her to marry him, and she's ready to do it. Sure, she has a few secrets too--but they'll have plenty of time to work things out while they're living happily ever after. Right? Her identical twin sister, Chuck, isn't so sure. Maybe reporting for the local Bigfoot-sighting tabloid doesn't make her an expert, but to Chuck, Aidan and his brother Sebastian look like honest-to-Dracula vampires. Especially Sebastian: beguiling, seductive, and just a hint of dangerous. Maybe she wouldn't mind him taking a little taste. But with Chloe's life in the balance, she has to know--do they want hot love or hot blood? Or maybe. . .a little of both? Praise for The Bite Before Christmas "Enjoyable reading." --Romantic Times "Inventive, gently humorous, and fast-paced, this steamy paranormal anthology offers an alternative to the typical holiday fare; perfect for readers who want their romances on the edgy side." –Library Journal

Kelsie Connor is looking for a big headline to jumpstart her career as a journalist--like proving the existence of vampires and werewolves. She's always felt that Others exist, though she's never met one herself. So on the night of the Blood Moon, Kelsie goes looking for a werewolf...but meets a vampire instead. A vampire who makes her blood run hot and makes her feel things she never imagined a body could feel. Hayden Flann had been secretly watching Kelsie for some time, drawn to her by a powerful bloodlust and equally strong sexual attraction. But Hayden recognizes that he and Kelsie are connected by more than passion. Little does she know that Hayden is not just her lover--he's also her enemy, born to seduce her before he kills her....

Read Gerry Bartlett's blogs and other content on the Penguin Community. View our feature on Gerry Bartlett’s Real Vampires Have More to Love. Dangerous curves lie ahead in the latest hilarious novel from the national bestselling author of Real Vampires Hate Their Thighs. Glory St. Clair is a vampire with man trouble. Between her on-again, off-again lover Jeremy Blade, smoking hot rock star Ray Caine, and former bodyguard turned apartment mate Valdez, there's enough man-candy around to make even a gal with a liquid diet feel a sugar rush. Glory's got no time to enjoy it, though, considering that she's in the middle of planning her best friend's wedding. And let's not forget that there happens to be a hit on her head, thanks to when she took out a techno-freak billionaire. Now, between planning a bachelorette party and dodging stakes, Glory has to decide which man she really wants, before her love life meets an early grave...