Why am I so fascinated with zombie romance?
The first time I explored the idea of “undead” romance was several years ago in now-defunct Drollerie Press’s chat. We always had such a blast talking about all things horror, and we got to talking about how hilarious it would be if someone wrote a zombie romance.
I mean think about it. If someone’s dead, how can you possibly work out a HEA?
The challenge of it fascinated me, and then Deena threw down the gauntlet. She challenged me to write one. I accepted. 
That story is still available for free (click on the thumbnail to download a pdf, or other formats are available at Smashwords).
So I guess Zombie Category Romance was only inevitable. I love the idea of warping traditional tropes. That’s why I take Regency tropes… and twist them into Jane Austen Soap Operas where ladies rule instead of the men. Now I’m taking billionaire alphaholes and making them zombies.
But it’s not easy. I mean, to make it romance, there has to be more romantic elements than horror elements. So there has to be a REASON for the hero to be a zombie, and it can’t be too disgusting. e.g. no rotting flesh hanging off the bones while he eats braiiiiiiins.
So how could I come up with a zombie hero that’s not disgusting? That’s where the magical elements come into play. Instead of a zombie apocalypse caused by a virus, the hero is simply cursed. It’s not a widespread disaster. There’s no need to hole up in a farmhouse with every gun you can find.
In fact, most of the time Yiorgos looks perfectly fine. Only a handful of people know what happens when he takes off the signet ring he won from Emile Remy along with his restaurant. He wears the ring the entire time he’s with Clare, except for one time she tries to use her powers to help him, searching for a clue to the curse.
He even eats normal food, not brains. Which is a very bad thing for him, because Clare is a kitchen witch and she makes one mean chocolate cake.
So I came up with a few cheesy tag lines that were more jokes than anything. My favorite that I didn’t use:
Come for the braiiiins. Stay for the romance.
*laughs* I promise. NO BRAINS!
Remember all procceds in 4th quarter 2012 from The Zombie Billionaire’s Virgin Witch will go to Rebuilding Joplin.
To celebrate my first zombie category romance release, I’m giving away a $25 gift card to any online book retailer (AMZ, B&N, etc.) Simply comment on this post by Oct. 10th midnight (CST) and tell me your favorite zombie movie. This giveaway is open to anyone on the planet, even if you’ve won something from me before.
And stay tuned – I intend to giveaway several more prizes this month as we get closer to Halloween!
Anyone willing to review or rate The Zombie Billionaire’s Virgin Witch – email me at joelysueburkhart AT gmail DOT com with your desired format, and I’ll send you a review copy. Thank you!
“Come for the braiiiins. Stay for the romance.”
Ahh, I love that! 😆 Too bad it didn’t get used.
My current favorite zombie movie is Zombieland. The rules, the cast, the Twinkies, very little not to love.
Zombieland and My Boyfriends Back are my fave zombie movies.
Shaun of the Dead is my favorite zombie movie.
Amen, sister. Beating a zombie to death with pool cues to the tune of Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now” puts this one over the top, in my opinion.
A kitchen witch! Chocolate cake! All the makings of a great zombie story. 😉
The last one I remember really enjoying is Zombieland. Woody Harrelson is so hilariously quirky!
The winner of the gift certificate is: Julie! I’ll email you and see where you’d like your goodies!
I haven’t seen it yet, but my favorite zombie character in a movie trailer is the zombie in “Wreck It Ralph.” Does that count? (I like my zombies comedic… What can I say?)