Caridad Piñeiro has given Latino literature a supernatural edge.
Her latest novel is Kissed by a Vampire, featuring a paranormal romance. She’s written nearly three dozen books, including the Chicas romance series and the The Calling/Reborn series. She’s received numerous awards from romance writers associations.
Piñeiro was born in Havana, Cuba, and worked as an attorney. This post is part of a blog tour for Kissed by a Vampire.
Q: Tell us about your latest book, Kissed by a Vampire.
Kissed by a Vampire is the story of a 2000-year-old vampire, Stacia, who has grown tired of her eternal life and has also grown lonely. She doesn’t believe it’s possible for her to find love or have any kind of lasting relationship, but then she meets DEA Agent Alex Garcia. Or should I say is reunited with him. She had saved his life many years earlier when Alex was shot during a raid that went wrong. Stacia had taken pity on Alex when she saw the love in his eyes for another agent who had been shot during the same raid. When Stacia runs into Alex again, she is unprepared for her attraction to him and for the emotions he rouses. Kissed by a Vampire is sexy and emotional. It’s also action-packed as Stacia decides to help Alex find a missing young woman and shut down a white slavery ring.
Q: Most of your novels deal with paranormal romance. What drew you to this genre? Why has it become so popular?
I was in a dark mood and wanted to vent that in my writing. I also thought that stories with paranormal elements would let me play with different ideas that I could not include in more traditional romances. I think the ability to have such different stories, especially the edgier kinds of stories possible with paranormals, is what has made the genre so popular.
Q: How has your Cuban/Latino heritage inspired your work? Who are your favorite Latino authors?
I try to include aspects of my culture and/or other Latino culture in as many works as I can. For example, one of the main characters in The Calling/Reborn series is Cuban-American FBI Agent Diana Reyes. In her stories, I’ve brought in her family’s values and foods. In Kissed by a Vampire, the story is set in South Beach and I’ve tried to work in the flavor that Cuban-Americans have given to that area. As for my favorite Latino authors, there quite a few. Julia Amante, Sylvia Mendoza, Berta Platas, Tracey Montoya, Reyna Grande, Julia Alvarez and Aimee Thurlo just to name a few.
The Hispanic Reader 
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Thank you so much for taking the time to interview me! I appreciate it and look forward to hearing from readers about what they think of Latino characters in their stories.
Loved the interview!
I love when women have a leading role in book. It is especially nice to see a hispanic in a lead role. I am thrilled that even Disney realized this and we get our first hispanic princess. This book is on my shelf & I can’t wait to read it.—Rachel
Great interview — I love that she included other Latino authors! Excited to check this one out.
Thank you all for dropping in to chat. I appreciate it and I love sharing my favorite Latino authors with you. They are all wonderful writers and I hope you will check them out.