I'm using vamps in my books but, as someone said earlier in the thread, I'm sticking close to the demon/angel theme.  My vampires are just one order of demons. Only one of them is intended to be sexy, but believe me he is only sexy until he gets angry.

I think vampires are the in thing in writing because they are so accessible, but also they are a staple of horror.  ANything that's so close to being human but is actually a monster is more scary thatn a big lizardy thing that bears no relationship to human beings.  Only my opinion though...