What’s a girl to do? In the black corner we have Kane Malloy and in the red corner we have Caleb Dehain. How could anyone choose between them?

I’ve been asked about my personal preferences on more than one occasion – and so far I’ve got away with remaining elusive. 😉 So I don’t mind admitting I heaved a sigh of relief when along came Amity Grays, a die-hard Team Blackthorn member (she’s been supporting me since 2010 – an AWESOME lady), who decided it was about time some of Team Blackthorn were put in the hotseat instead of me (love it!). If you’d like to see what the fabulous Tracey Rogers, Jane Hunt and Fiona Wilson had to say in response to Ms Grays’ fun, quirky and light-hearted post, you can head over to Amity’s blog now. Thanks SO much, Amity – and for putting yourself through your own questions! And huge thanks too to the wonderful ladies who gave up their time to be grilled. (Do feel free to share whether you agree with their choices or not – the more the merrier!)

But for now, back to today’s post and my overview of the two notorious vampires who are clogging up my blog for this week and next…

Kane – Anti-hero of Blood Shadows

Full name: Kane James Malloy

Age: Approx 400

Species: Third (vampire)

Special attributes: Master vampire (dual feeder)

Love interest: Caitlin Parish

Renowned character traits: Manipulative. Merciless. Vengeful. And with a whole LOT of sex appeal.

Physical position in Blackthorn: Controls the East side and part of the South, though has several dens elsewhere including one in lycan territory.

Occupation: Nobody really knows what he does or why he’s in Blackthorn. He once governed his own territory. Current workload: Remains a mystery so far. What are you up to, Mr Malloy?

Looking back at how I introduced Kane…

Kane first made his appearance into the romance world stood outside a club in Blackthorn on a dark, cold and rainy night. Despite being fully aware he was surrounded by the Third Species Control Division, he had only one thing on his mind – playing a game of kiss-chase with Caitlin Parish, and with every intention of winning.

It wasn’t by accident that after months of pursuing Kane, Caitlin finally caught up with him only days before the soul-ripper was due. It was, of course, all part of Kane’s perfectly timed plan. Caitlin may have been tracking the master vampire for years, but the dangerously meticulous plotter had had his sights set on Caitlin for much longer.

Their first moment together wasn’t just an instant power struggle laced with an already-established attraction, it was also the perfect opportunity to reveal more about Kane. He instantly gained the upper hand by coming at her from behind in a typically predatory act. What followed not only revealed his manipulative streak, but just how closely he’d been watching Caitlin as he purposefully echoed the chauvinistic banter she has faced all her career.

A sexual and sensual tease, Kane’s games didn’t stop there. Using her own gun to caress her as opposed to skin on skin, created a distance between them that exacerbated a tension all of its own – a taunt that only enhanced the intimacy when he did finally touch her. Even then it was a gentle caress – purposefully contradicting her assumptions in further mind games. And all the time he absorbed her every reaction, attentively gauging the boundaries and working her out. After all, ultimately he needed to seduce her to get what he wanted.

Despite their powerful attraction, Kane showed self-control both sexually and emotionally. Pinning her against the wall, unfastening of her belt, the goading whispers in her ear all revealed a darkly playful character whose ‘I can, but I won’t, but I could’ approach is only enhanced by Caitlin’s awareness of his uncorroborated reputation. And let’s not forget that, emotionally, all Caitlin represents to him at this stage is a means for revenge against those who instigated the despicable, cruel slaughter of his sister. What matters to Kane is seeing his plan through – whatever it takes.

Needless to say, with all this going on whilst being only too aware that Caitlin’s team were moments away, I think it’s safe to conclude that lethally calm, collected and in control doesn’t even begin to describe Kane Malloy.

Caleb – Anti-hero of Blood Roses

Full name: Caleb Dehain

Age: Approx 180

Species: Third (vampire)

Love interest: Leila McKay.

Physical position in Blackthorn: Owns and runs the West side and part of the South.

Renowned character traits: Ruthless. Calculated. Ever-so-slightly unhinged. So close to the dark side, he may as well pitch up a tent.

Occupation: Ex serryn hunter. Now owns the biggest and most successful club in Blackthorn. Oh, and he’s the destined leader of the prophesised vampiric uprising. Current workload: Extremely busy.

Looking back at how I introduced Caleb…

Knowing the significance of what Caleb was – his destiny as the prophesised vampiric leader – it was essential to symbolise this in his introduction. Leila is summoned from the safety of Summerton, to be escorted through the streets of Blackthorn to meet Caleb in his fortress, more specifically, in his tower. His club is his castle and the West side of Blackthorn is very much his dark domain.

Just like with Kane, Caleb first appears behind his heroine – a stealthily quiet and effective predator. When their eyes first met, I infused more symbolism of what was to come – dark surroundings, the breeze a reminder of the relevance of the outside world, the moonlight echoing the supernatural elements at play.

Caleb’s curt, ‘do as you’re told’ attitude was instant. A professional and astute businessman, his sullen intensity is unavoidable. Unlike Kane’s banter, Caleb is terse and direct – even in his commands to Hade, his trusted employee and friend. He’s used to doing things his way – and those around him doing what they’re told. Not only do you see a fiercely independent character who resents needing anyone’s help, but one who needs to be in control.

Unlike Kane’s darkly sensual play, there’s something inherently sexually domineering about Caleb’s approach. He took no shame in taking the physically dominant position with Leila – not least by grabbing her arm let alone backing her against the sofa. This is remembering that any close proximity with a serryn, something he already suspects she is, is treacherous for a vampire. But then again, he was the Higher Order’s most proficient hunter.

But despite the harsh exterior, what you also see is Caleb the protector – who loves his brother deeply. His concern for Jake, for the survival of both of them in Blackthorn, is always forefront of his mind. To balance the darkness, I also wanted to hint at the vulnerabilities Caleb effectively keeps hidden from the outside world. Complex is the best way to sum up Caleb Dehain.

If you’d like to share you first impressions of Kane and/or Caleb, please do! Alternatively, feel free to chunter away to yourself – no one will ever know. 😉 I’ll be back with the next installment on Saturday when I’ll be delving into their dark pasts. 

It’s got to happen – Kane and Caleb in the same story on the same page. How could it not? In my interview with Bookouture back in April, I mentioned that I’ve already written some of their scenes together. What I’m not going to reveal though is how they come together, whether it’ll be on good or bad terms, whether they’ll join forces or go head to head or, as I’ve been asked many times, who would win if they did??

When I first wrote Kane and Caleb, I didn’t expect them to have the impact they have had. Reading the feedback on what readers think of these two characters has been the most rewarding thing about being published so far (yes, even the couple of severe and, let’s be honest, rather nasty wrist slaps for daring to make my vampires so bad). I’m not going to use the ‘love them or hate them’ cliché, but as the books get out there more and more, it seems to be going that way. But that’s okay. They’re evoking a reaction and what author doesn’t want that?

Let’s be honest, unless you’ve got nerves of steel, are adept at reading between the lines or dark and dangerous ticks all the right boxes for you, both Kane and Caleb could leave a lot to be desired from their initial introductions into the romance world. Unrepentant, lethal and badly-behaved vampires who ooze threat and are so overtly alpha they’re verging on arrogant, how could they not deserve to be locked away and the key buried under thirty feet of concrete?

Caleb has definitely been the most controversial. Everyone thought Kane was the ultimate bad boy until Caleb appeared (I did warn you). He’s had some interesting reactions from readers and I’ve been fascinated by the questions I’ve been asked in the background about him. I don’t mind admitting that I was exceptionally nervous about letting him loose. After the incredible response to Kane and Blood Shadows, knowing I was skirting even closer to the edge with Blood Roses and doing so in a much more intense, insular and claustrophobic way, made me anxious that some readers would shy away from the series from there on. But Blackthorn fans have stayed loyal and that means more to me than anything else. Thank you!

What I continue to enjoy most with writing Kane and Caleb, is the slow revelations of the characters beneath the surface. All world building aside, and as much fun as it is, the characters are the heart of any story and I like nothing more than creating those  that feel as real to readers as they do to me. And whether reactions to them are good or bad, the fact someone has felt the need to share their feelings towards characters that have clearly leapt off the page at them tells me I’ve done my job properly.

So, as I’ve written a series of posts on creating the world of Blackthorn but have yet to go into any depth about its notorious inhabitants, I decided it was about time I did just that. But there’s no way I can do it in one post. So for the next two weeks, I’m dedicating my posts to my two favourite vampires.

Let the battle commence…

WARNING! These posts will contain spoilers for Blood Shadows and Blood Roses – and a couple of hints of what’s to come in Blood Torn.

I hope to see you Wednesday when it all kicks off!