KeithMelton wrote:
@Paul
"Under St. Peter's" is certainly a provocative story. One has to admire the spine of a writer who'd tackle an idea like that. I've read and enjoyed some of Turtledove's alternate histories, but "Under St. Peter's" always had a rather disquieting feel that lingered long after reading.
And I agree. Vampires have proven to be a versatile legend. Such range, spanning from the creatures of Richard Matheson's I Am Legend, Del Toro and Hogan's The Strain, Brian Lumley's Necroscope Series, to Christine Freehan's Carpathians or J.R. Ward's vampires.
Keith:
I agree but that said there is an ebb and flow with subject matter and/or subgenres like vampire fiction. Look at the recent return of steampunk – and the looming werewolf invasion. Yes, there will eventually be a saturation pount and readers will look for their literary escapism elsewhere. But vampires will always around – the mythos is just too good to bury for long, excuse the pun. 
Paul
When it comes to truly entertaining – and truly innovative – storylines, no other category comes close to paranormal fantasy. Every new release, it seems, brings a new fusion of genre elements; a delectable concoction of mystery, fantasy, romance, horror, etc.
And when it comes to stellar niche fiction – that is, fiction that may not appeal to mainstream readers but could potentially find a fervent audience at the shadowy peripheral of genres – some of the finest quality genre fiction can be found in small press offerings. But the sad fact of the matter is that many readers will never even know about these seldomly promoted literary gems…
Some of my all-time favorite reads, in fact, have been published by small presses: Stepan Chapman’s surrealistic masterwork The Troika, published by The Ministry of Whimsy Press in 1998, is arguably one of my favorite – and most singularly unique – novels of all time. The Damp Chamber and Other Bad Places by Frank Chigas, released by Medusa Press, is a jaw-droppingly brilliant collection of horror stories that, when I reviewed it in 2003, I described as having “the stylish storytelling prowess of Stephen King, the audacious gruesomeness of H.P. Lovecraft… and the cerebral machinations of Algernon Blackwood.” Bill DeSmedt’s science fiction thriller Singularity, published by Per Aspera Press; and Jeff VanderMeer’s Secret Life, released in 2004 by Golden Gryphon, are some of my most cherished books.
So when I heard that Georgia-based small press Samhain Publishing was releasing the first installment of a new paranormal fantasy saga, I had to check it out…
…and I’m so glad I did.
The tongue-in-cheek “warning” on the back of the book had me instantly intrigued: “Intense, graphic mafia-related violence, profanity, gangster slang, assassinations, fang punctures, explicit vampire sex, betrayal, greed, murder, gangland warfare, pervasive supernatural mayhem, large-scale explosions, and extremely expensive Italian suits.”
Simply put, Keith Melton’s Blood Vice – the first book in the Nightfall Syndicate – is nothing short of a paranormal fantasy masterwork. Imagine Bram Stoker writing a crime fiction epic, or Mario Puzo penning a vampire-powered thriller. Blood Vice is a perfect graft of noir fiction and paranormal fantasy. Karl Vance is a cold-blooded Mafia hit man. He’s also a vampire. When he becomes involved in a looming turf war between two rival Boston crime families – by becoming emotionally attached to Maria Ricardi, the beautiful (and ambitious) daughter of one of the crimes bosses – he puts both of their lives in jeopardy when he resolves to not only go up against both organized crime syndicates but also a sadistic, undead nemesis and his army of vampires who has pursued him across the centuries…
Why is this novel so good? Melton’s narrative voice is simultaneously hard-edged, intelligent (Milton is quoted numerous times), cool (references to Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs”, Cold’s “Witch,” etc.) and darkly – dare I say poetically – descriptive. After Karl kills a target early on, the pale corpse is described as a “human-shaped cicada shell.” And here Karl’s former Master ponders immortality: “My Mistress is darkness. Shadows are my children. I remain constant while the world decays. Do you understand what it is to be eternal? It is to laugh in the face of God.”
And that is why Keith Melton could very well be the illegitimate lovechild of Mario Puzo and Bram Stoker. Blood Vice will pleasantly surprise any genre fiction fan who reads it – and undoubtedly compel readers to begin seeking out more small press offerings….
paulgoatallen wrote:
When it comes to truly entertaining – and truly innovative – storylines, no other category comes close to paranormal fantasy. Every new release, it seems, brings a new fusion of genre elements; a delectable concoction of mystery, fantasy, romance, horror, etc.
And when it comes to stellar niche fiction – that is, fiction that may not appeal to mainstream readers but could potentially find a fervent audience at the shadowy peripheral of genres – some of the finest quality genre fiction can be found in small press offerings. But the sad fact of the matter is that many readers will never even know about these seldomly promoted literary gems…
....
...And that is why Keith Melton could very well be the illegitimate lovechild of Mario Puzo and Bram Stoker. Blood Vice will pleasantly surprise any genre fiction fan who reads it – and undoubtedly compel readers to begin seeking out more small press offerings….
@Paul
First off, let’s pretend for a moment that I maintained an aura of stately dignity and didn’t just call up everyone I know and tell them to read your post immediately. Half of them probably didn’t understand a word I said anyway, since I might’ve been speaking both too loudly and too quickly.
To say I’m honored is an understatement. If, in my still very wet-behind-the-ears writing career, I ever achieve ten percent of the stature and talent of Puzo or Stoker I would die a very happy man.
I completely agree with your words concerning paranormal fantasy. From a writer’s perspective, the number and range of tools and toys in the genre makes exploring and writing in it thrilling, interesting, and challenging.
I will most definitely see if I can get my hands on the other small press books you mentioned. Your description of The Damp Chamber and Other Bad Places by Frank Chigas has immediately sold me on it.
I am so glad I found this thread, I have been shamelessly (stalking) following Keith since I read Blood Vice back in December. I am waiting not so patiently for the sequel but have picked up Run, Wolf to help tide me over in the mean time.
I love Karl Vance because he isn't your typical vampire hero....appearing dangerous but soft and gooey on the inside. He is every bit as rough, tough, and dangerous as he comes off as. Likewise Maria has no problem getting her hands dirty... it makes them an interesting pair!
To answer Keith's question about vamps..... I take em any way I can get em! Tho as I work through the UF/PNR genre I find I gravitate towards shapeshifters more. I think its the animalistic instinct/passion..... probably why I adore J.R. Ward's vamps... they growl a lot. Keith, this is my official request.... more growling from Karl please? 
Anyway, I like em dangerous and dark and dirty (and naughty!). I love them with the traditional weaknesses of lore, but I also love it when there is a new take on them. Lara Adrian's vamps have a neat twist where they originate from an alien race and I like it. I also like the twist Butcher gave his with the drugging saliva. But Jim Butcher can do no wrong, I have a serious crush on one Harry Dresden.
The only vamps I have ever had a hard time with are Ilona Andrews' vamps.... but thats because they aren't typical or sexy at all. They are however a new and different twist that I enjoy! Just took me a bit to get used to them and almost had me setting down book 1 of that series. Now Ilona Andrews is on my absolutely must buy on the day it releases list.
Now for my question for Mr. Melton - Was the final version of Blood Vice what you expected and had planned on or were there changes from your original plan? I ask because I was taken by surprise by Maria's "transformation". I fully expected the book to be about keeping her away from the big bad evil guy and you went and threw me for a loop (and I loved it, I am a glutton for punishment that way!). Just curious if YOU knew it would play out like it did
Tiffany
