A BLOODY GOOD CRUISE is a fun-filled blend of the vampire world and luxury cruises, starring romance author Mona Rossi and Fausto Silvius, a full-blooded vampire. The popularity of cruises and vampires make it a unique blend, but a very fun setting.
Coffeetime Romance says in its review, “A Bloody Good Cruise is a high seas adventure with twists and turns around every corner. The lively cast spins non-stop excitement with thrills and enough snags to keep the pages turning.”
I wanted to combine Italian vampires, comedy and cruising in one package, so I hopped on my imaginary ship The Romanza to get my characters in all kinds of trouble. I envisioned the hero, Fausto, as actor Vincent Irizarry (Dr. Hayward on All My Children). That made my job so much easier. He is THE perfect vampire. Italian vampires and hunters (the Vampire Ball Busters) leave the field wide open for comic relief, and I had plenty of chances in this story. Since I’m hooked on cruising and I’m Italian, I didn’t need to do that much research.
My husband and I are hooked on cruising, and my very first cruise was on the Eastern Mediterranean, beginning in Rome and ending in Istanbul. The ports of call included Rhodes, Cyprus, Santorini, and Egypt. Because I love Italy and cruising, I wanted to combine those passions with a humorous story about vampires and how they face prejudice in the human world.
Blurb
But they soon discover hunters on board who give chase to Fausto and his fellow vampires. While he longs to bring Mona into his world, how can he convince her to join him with fringe lunatics on the hunt? In the prime of her life she’s not sticking her neck out for a shot at eternity.
Mona forced a dose of cheer through her jangly nerves. Vampire hunters wouldn2527t have the balls to attack Fausto and his friends on this ship. Security was tight. “Well, you2527re here, so does that mean you2527ve been going out, and aren2527t confined to your house any more?”
Fausto shrugged. “Almost. I couldn2527t wallow in self-pity forever. And I knew seeing you would make it worthwhile.”
She smiled and gave him a genuine Italian cheek pinch. “I2527ll cheer you up, faccia bella, you can count on that. You must feel safe.” She gestured at the tacky duds. “I mean, relatively speaking.”
“Don2527t let this scare you, but –” He glanced around over the rims of his shades. Uh-oh. Whenever he said “don2527t let this scare you,” it scared her. “I got an ominous message at the doctor2527s office earlier.”
“What—” She swallowed a lump. “What kind of ominous message?”
He looked away, shaking his head. “Nothing to get alarmed about. The hunters just want me to know they2527re here. After the initial jolt wore off, I said, ‘okay, I2527m being stalked again.2527 But I2527m used to it. It doesn2527t make me constantly look over my shoulder like in the old days. My family2527s murder gave me a reality check. If they want me, they2527ll get me. I can2527t let it interfere with my work, or what little leisure time I have here. And you shouldn2527t either.” He gazed at her adoringly and cupped her cheek. His hand was surprisingly warm. “But you2527re still scared. All the blood2527s drained out of your face, and not in a good way.”
If you have 2 hours free time tonight, what would you rather do? Why?
Soak in my hot tub overlooking the Tuscany Hills with a chilled glass of Gianni Brunelli Brunello di Montalcino Riserva from right there in Tuscany. Fausto bought me a case of this for our one-year anniversary. It2527s a deep ruby red with intense aromas of notes of leather and cherry. Upon sipping, you get an astringent taste.
At $389 a bottle, I splurge when I sell a book—then I buy another bottle when the book sales hit the 1,000 copy mark.
Along with the wine, I2527d have Sinatra or Dean Martin playing in the background, with a vanilla candle. And if I2527m feeling indulgent, I2527ll bring three white chocolate truffles, and eat them fast so they don2527t melt.
What kind of books do you love to read? Why?
The same kind of romances I write—suspense, where the heroine gets into one mess after another. I read out loud, it improves my diction for when I speak at writers2527 conferences. I also like to browse cookbooks. I take a snapshot of the recipe in my head, then go and improvise.
My favorite author is Linda Howard. She writes such pulse-pounding suspense. And I know this sounds hokey, but when I met Fausto, I began reading Anne Rice. Fausto and his family aren2527t the same kinds of vampires she writes about, but it gave me some perspective. To me, the original book Dracula, by Bram Stoker, was scary as hell. But I do consider it one of my favorite books because it was so innovative. I never believed in vampires before that book, and look where I am now!
What is your favorite food? What food do you seek when you2527re sad, sort of a comfort food?
Cheesecake made with cottage cheese—it2527s healthy and low fat, and tastes every bit as good as ‘real2527 cheesecake but much lighter. I also make honey balls, “Struffoli” which is a Christmas treat, but I make them year round.
Describe yourself in one word.
Determined.
What is the most adventurous thing you2527ve ever done?
Being turned—but it was a matter of life and death. I trusted Fausto with my life, and here I am.
What makes you happy/sad/disappointed/frustrated/hopeful/angry? (Pick one)
What makes me angry is intolerance. After I went through with Fausto and his family, I saw first-hand what someone different must go through to gain acceptance. I2527m trying to change that by giving talks about vampires, explaining who we really are, so someday prejudice against us—and anyone else the ‘majority2527 deems ‘different2527 will be an ugly thing of the past.
What are your wildest dreams/fantasies/kinks/quirks?
My wildest dream is to live a week in Ancient Rome, as a Senator2527s mistress.
What do you most want out of life, and what2527s its opposite?
I most want social acceptance and its opposite is to disappear in the crowd, to be an ordinary citizen.
What would you never say, do or think?
I2527d never insult someone just to show I2527m better or smarter.
I2527d never let anyone boss me around.
I2527d never think I2527m inferior to anyone because of my new status as a vampire.
What are some of your faults?
I2527m too assertive at times. I still worry about what people think of me. I overcompensate to get them to accept and like me. I make a mess after cooking and don2527t clean it up right away. This drives Fausto nuts. He2527s a neat freak. Another fault that also drives him nuts is that I put off going to the doctor. We2527ve been granted eternal life, but we do have to get checkups along the way!
ABOUT DIANA
I2527m a longtime a member of Romance Writers of America, the Richard III Society and the Aaron Burr Association.
Please visit me at www.dianarubino.com, www.facebook.com/dianarubinoauthor
www.dianarubino.author.blogspot.com and on Twitter @DianaLRubino.