Hello, I am Sapphire Phelan. I write erotic and sweet paranormal, fantasy, urban fantasy and science fiction romance. I also had a couple erotic horror stories published plus a couple of poems in a poetry anthology. Besides romance, I write and have published horror, science fiction, fantasy, poetry and nonfiction as Pamela K. Kinney. I know you’re all asking how can someone who writes scary stories write romance too? It was easy.
After all, even in horror, fantasy, and science fiction people fall in love too. There were Anne Rice’s vampires. There is Barnabas Collins and Quentin Collins in the TV soap opera from the late 60s to early 70s, Dark Shadows. If you never seen this series and ever get the chance to do so, do it. It was so-so, more gothic romance than paranormal (though there was some), when six months after it began, a thief, Willie, looking for the Collins family jewels rumored to be hidden in the crypt, discovered Barnabas chained up in a coffin in a secret room. When I watched Buffy and Angel, I think back to Barnabas, the first romantic vampire. And Quentin, the cursed werewolf that even my own mother thought was the most handsome man she ever saw. When I write paranormal romance, my monsters can be the romantic hero or heroine. Just like in Dark Shadows. All right, my heroes and heroines can be pretty dark sometimes. Just like in Dark Shadows. After all, they are monsters. There’s something about the unknown, the terrifying, and even the bizarre, that attracts us to it. Drws us like a moth to a flame. There's something sexy about love with monsters, the ultimate in tortured souls. How does one know if the heroine making love with the handsome hero who's a werewolf too, is safe. He might change at the full moon during the throes of passion ands tear her to pieces. But we believe that the monster loves her and that he will fight to keep her safe, even from himself. But that added spice of possible death makes the love story all the more enjoyable. It's the le petit mort of thrills. My erotic horror novella, Unwitting Sacrifice, that just came out in November from Under the Moon is a Lovecraftian tale, but with sex, or as one interested reader told me, Cthulhurotica. If you ever read the Cthulhu mythos from author H. P. Lovecraft, then you know what the lover in my story is.
In the novella, a young woman moves to Virginia, trying to escape her nightmares. Instead, she finds more than nightmares. There’s a good looking man, Jacob, who attracts her and yet, sometimes scares her. And hr shows her passion, but this being a horror story and not paranormal romance, theres terror hidden in that passion, too. If you like to read some Lovecraft, here is a link to a Web site with the stories he wrote:http://www.dagonbytes.com/thelibrary/lovecraft/ . In the erotic urban fantasy, Being Familiar With a Witch, that I have coming out January 26th fromPhaze Books, I wrote about demons and witches. Can a lovely young woman who doesn't know she has the potential to become a withc fall for a demon and let him make love to her, freeing her withcy powers? That's the story I wrote to answer that question. Once again, my hero isn't human. But my heroine finds the lover hidden beneath the Familiar's demonic form.
I continue to write in these genres, seeking answers in how dark my heroes and heroines can be and yetr not topple over the edge. As long as the readers continue to read, I will continue to ask that question and answer it by writing it down. After all, monsters need love, too.
Go beyond the usual, instead take the unusual that stretches the boundaries and find romance with Sapphire Phelan's aliens, werewolves, vampires, fairies, and other supernatural/otherworldly heroes and heroines.
…no, not the spooky voice that calls my name, waking me out of a deep sleep in the middle of the night.Like any sensible girl, I ignore that voice!
Hi, I’m Shereen Vedam, author of fantasy and regency romance short stories.
I’m here to talk about voice, as in the voice of authors you love to read; their tone, humor, interjections in the narrative that makes you laugh out loud and say to friends and family, you have got to read this book.
Everyone has different reasons why they love a particular author’s voice.Recently, I discovered what about an author’s voice that makes me pick a book off the shelves.
This past week, I was reading an anthology – one that included one of my short stories (Dragon Dreams).I was curious about the other short stories the editor had picked for this anthology.Some were written by famous fantasy authors, others fresh on the fantasy scene, and some never before published.
For me, reading a book of short stories is like going grocery shopping.As I walk down the aisles in search of items I need, I check and double check my list.Occasionally, I pick up things I never planned to buy.Hmm…this looks interesting. I hesitate, then impulsively toss it into the cart, ruthlessly flattening my budget.
In this same manner, I delved into this anthology by first searching out an author I knew I would like (I have a collection of his novels – Jim C. Hines).Then, tentatively, I tried an unknown author.
Over the next few days, each morning on the bus ride to work, I read another short story and then another. One story seemed a bit odd, the next interesting.One left me completely confused by the style of prose until the end and then I thought, Oh, how cool. (Scout by Mary Turzillo)
Then I came across one that had me turning page after page, chuckling to myself.At the end of that short story, the bio said this author, over his lifetime, “collected just about every award the field has to offer.”His name was Fritz Leiber.
He was the inspiration for this blog – that indefinable voice of an author.
Voice is a very subjective experience.In this same anthology, Cat Tales edited by George H. Scithers, the stories that intrigued and entertained me would very likely be vastly different from the ones that call to you.
That said, I was still curious…what is it about an author’s voice that makes it appealing, enticing, memorable and collectible?
I took a closer look at Leiber’s voice in this short story and what about it I found so pleasurable.
His worldview was compatible with mine – cats and their needs are important.
His humor was unique – one example is the point of view of the main character, which was the cat, leading to the humans in the story being named from the cat’s point of view (Kitty-Come-Here is the wife, loved that, and Old Horsemeat is the husband - Leiber took his time explaining this title but it came eventually and was well worth waiting for).
His story telling ability – flawless (not by any particular grammar rules but in lack of obvious mistakes), great story arc, consistently entertaining narrative voice and a satisfying ending.
Appealing characters – characters that appeal to me are often realistic and flawed, but loveable, nevertheless, because they have the best of intentions.
Use of concrete details – this can bring a story alive so it feels as if it’s being reenacted in my own kitchen.
Ironyand foreshadowing – I didn’t notice this until the second read, and it was priceless.
He understood the importance of irrelevance – the whole mystery in the story is completely irrelevant but in our lives, the things that often upset us most are usually just that, something totally irrelevant.Therefore, making what’s irrelevant relevant not only builds in humor but also generates sympathy in the reader.
Here’s an excerpt from Kreativity For Kats by Fritz Leiber appearing in Cat Tales
There was a mystery about the spilled water.It had apparently disappeared entirely, though the day seemed hardly dry enough for total evaporation.Then she saw it standing in a puddle by the wall fully ten feet away from the bowl.She made a quick deduction and frowned a bit worriedly.
“I never realized the kitchen floor sloped that much,” she told Old Horsemeat after dinner.“Maybe some beams need to be jacked up in the basement.I’d hate to think of collapsing into it while I cooked dinner.”
“I’m sure this house finished all its settling thirty years ago,” her husband assured her hurriedly.“That slope’s always been there.”
“Well, if you say so,” Kitty-Come-Here allowed doubtfully.
To me, voice is a combination of things.It’s how an author sees the world, finds entertaining in it and then expresses that viewpoint by the choice and order of words, phrases and expressions he or she uses.
I believe building an effective and appealing Voice requires both skill and confidence.
In essence, Voice is the story.
In preparation for this blog, I posted a question on voice on a few Amazon forums asking readers and authors what they found appealing enough about an author’s voice to make them return to that author again and again.The following were on their Christmas reading wish list:
sharp beginnings
action scenes
clean prose
rhythm and flow
don't talk down to the reader
interesting ever-evolving story
no gratuitous swearing or sex
returning (familiar) characters
likeable characters
A good author’s voice can entice a reader to stalk them on the internet, in book stores, and at conferences and conventions.Crafting that appealing voice is a writer’s Holy Grail.
So, who are the voices on your bookshelf?What is it about an author's voice that keeps you huddled beneath the blanket on a cold wintry night, reading?Why do you put some books down half way through, but forget to get off the bus at work because you were lost in a story?
Being a person who loves to over-analyze any given situation, I thought it would be fun to pick apart the paranormal romance genre as a whole. So excuse me while I give into the left side of my brain (which, by the way, battles tirelessly with the right side of my brain on a daily basis).
To begin with, the paranormal romance genre is so broad it could be split up into an infinite number of new genres. Why do I think this? Because the word “paranormal” has such a broad meaning.
of or pertaining to the claimed occurrence of an event or perception without scientific explanation, as psychokinesis, extrasensory perception, or other purportedly supernatural phenomena. That’s a pretty general definition. To get a better idea, all I have to do is look at the list of authors who contribute to this blog. Each brings their own imagination to the paranormal romance genre to create stories about:
-Time travel -Ghosts -Werewolves -Vampires -Shape shifters -Mythology -Psychic abilities -Angels -Demons -Futuristic space travel -Witches, Sorcerers, and Warlocks -I’m sure I’m missing several so go ahead and shout it out if you think of more. The left side of my brain welcomes it.
Of these, there are immeasurable possibilities to create even more types of supernatural phenomena. Why? Because paranormal fiction has no guidelines, no boundaries, and absolutely no limit to the worlds an author can create.
Charlaine Harris, one of my favorite authors, gives a perfect example with her Southern Vampire Series. She’s built a vivid parallel universe where vampires exist alongside humans. To add to that, she went on to bring in shapeshifters, werewolves, fairies, and witches. Her books are rich with mystery and the unknown, and it keeps me turning the pages and wanting more.
I suppose these are the reasons I love to both read and write paranormal romance and fantasy. There’s no end to what my imagination can come up with… which gives the left side of my brain a reason to relax and allow the right side of my brain to run away with the ghosts, angels, demons, or whatever else I want to write about that day.
So what is your favorite genre inside the paranormal romance genre?
BEWITCHING YOU – Coming soon from the Wild Rose Press FINDING FATE - Free short story available from the Wild Rose Press ANGEL VINDICATED – Coming soon from Cerridwen Press
" "Love and life are too precious to waste" according to Granny’s spirit that keeps Lindy company and offers an abundance of advice – wanted and unwanted.
...Secondary characters like Jenna, the hateful cousin; Garrett, the crotchety old farm manager; Elvira Hill and her old bachelor son all add a wealth of emotions to the story, especially the subtle humor that enriches the drama of life that unfolds.
The “Who Done It” part of Legal Tender intrigues and nudges the reader to turn the pages almost as much as the need to know who Lindy will finally realize is the love of her life.
“Lindy-Loo” is a love and Granny is great. They make Legal Tender good reading that lifts the spirit."
I don't know about you, but a great review always lifts my spirits! Hope you're enjoying the weekend.
I’m Barbara Edwards and my first paranormal romance, Ancient Awakening is being released by The Wild Rose Press in 2009. After writing two historical romances and a romantic suspense, I’ve found my niche. Writing paranormal shows the darker side of my soul. I love researching the wicked and evil, then twisting truth with fiction into a story. I’ve been checking old and new scary stories to keep fresh. I watched the Haunting of Hill House, the Shining, and read Steven King’s Duma’s Key. All were frightening, but didn’t have enough romance for my taste. I like my characters to face fear, to find the facts and solve the mystery while finding out their strengths and weaknesses. The hardest part is keeping my hero and heroine alive to find love. In Ancient Awakening, Police Officer ‘Mel’ Petersen investigates a death only she believes is murder. By disobeying direct orders from the Rhodes End Chief, she risks her career to follow clues that twist in circles to her backyard and lead the killer to her. Her neighbor Stephan Zoriak is a prime suspect. Steve worked for a major pharmaceutical company where he discovered a weapon so dangerous he destroys the research. He is exposed to the dangerous organism. He suspects he is the killer and agrees to help her find the truth. In the course of their investigation Mel and Steve find the real killer and a love that defies death.
Check out my website: http://www.barbaraedwards.net/ for excerpts and buy links Go to my blog, Barb’Ed Comments, http://barbaraedwards.net/blog/blog.asp for some interesting interviews with other authors and a few personal views on writing. Feel free to leave a comment for me or any other authors featured here.
Hello everyone, merry Christmas! I hope you all have a wonderful time with loved ones and friends. I suppose it's my time to post. :) Well, I write mostly historical romance and some paranormal (like a novella-Double Vision-where the couple falls in love on the astral plane). I have a Regency-set novel out called The 12th Kiss, with Wings ePress, but today I'd like to briefly talk about my time-travel romance, Romeo vs. Juliet out with The Wild Rose Press. The hero of my novel works for Queen Elizabeth I. He stumbles upon a time-portal and searches the centuries for his true love. He finds her in the 21st century. They marry and enjoy life in Elizabethan England for a while. Then trouble ensues. She discovers that he's going through time changing history and destroying lives, so she chases him through the eras with a promise to stop him. They visit various times from the 1950s to the twenty-second century, and further in both directions. It's an adventurous, passionate love story. Okay, thanks for reading! And take care, warmly, Laura Hogg http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=89_126&products_id=460&zenid=b9f301a47cb64144cfda37e6256999a3 And my blog: http://traveltheages.blogspot.com/
It took a while but I think my holiday mood has arrived. Actually, I was supposed to get something on here much earlier today but I spent the afternoon rocking my newborn grandson and everything else went out of my head. He's the best Christmas gift I've gotten and hopefully he will be home tomorrow, although I will probably really never get anything done. I already find I am creating new stories for him. When my first grandson, Xavier, was born I wrote my first ever children's story for him, about a little boy and his grandma who fight a dragon hiding in his room. I've been forming another story for my two year old granddaughter about a girl pirate who terrorizes the seven seas, much as my little Anna loves to terrorize us with her antics! And now Jasper, my newest love, needs a story of his own as well. So I'm filling my head with all sorts of ideas. It's incredibly amazing how much love can motivate creativity. In this season that is so much about love and hope and good tidings, it's extra special to find those creative juices flowing and adding to life in all its glory. So here's to the wierd, the funny, the paranormal and the just plain strange: May all your Christmases be bright and your new year way, way, out there. Debbie Doggett
My youngest son was recently diagnosed with dyslexia so I’ve been trying to learn more about it in order to better help him. When I ran across an article about Designing Web Pages for Dyslexic Readers I found that the information was great for everybody. Who wouldn’t want their web site to be less tiring on the eyes and so easy to navigate that potential readers would want to spend time there instead of moving on somewhere else in frustration?
To keep this short, I’m just going to sport the highlights here and of course give full credit and the link to the original article at the bottom.
Column width. Use narrow columns, similar to what is here in the blog or in newspapers. If your website has a nice big space, please don’t stretch the text across it. That is very hard on the eyes. Keep the paragraphs and sentences short.
Font. The less loopy scrolls or decorations on the font the better. You’d assume that Times New Roman is great since it is usually the computer’s 'default' font, however it has very little spacing between the letters with decorative serifs. Arial is much more clear and easy to read.
Unjustified text. Though justified text makes nice straight lines on both sides of the column, for the dyslexic reader the odd spaces in between makes it more difficult to follow the text. Also leave a line between paragraphs to break them up. What? No Italics? I know, I know, writers use italics a lot, however for an easy readable web page, if you want emphasis, go bold instead.
Pictures, pictures, pictures. (See how I stuck the picture in there to break up the text?) Images, charts, cartoons provide immediate information of what a column of text is about so that a reader doesn’t have to scan through all of our writing again to get right back to what he first found interesting.
Navigation. The same principle applies to navigational links. Rather than hide the link within a text column that a reader has to search through to find again, like this link here, make the link stand out and also make sure there is a link back to your home page so a reader won’t feel trapped and simply exit out. LINK HERE
Background color. Text on a white background is very difficult to read for most readers. For a dyslexic reader, the brightness makes the words blur or even seem to move around. If you have to go white, use an off-white version. Better yet, is taking advantage of a background color changer, which allows the reader to change the background to the color they prefer by rolling their mouse over it. The one below isn’t set up to work here, but if you follow the link below, you can play around with theirs (which is offered and encouraged to be freely copied)
All credit goes to the writer of the original article John Bradford with dyslexia-magizine.com
Hi ya'll. My name is Deborah J Panger and my story, Saje, is coming in Spring of 2009, to the Scarlet Rose line.
I live on the beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast with my husband, James, and our two pets-Gizmo Killer and Midnight.
Saje: Blurb:
What could be worse than waking up lonely on May Day? Finding a naked male stranger with wings in your house.That is exactly what Amanda Birchfield discovers when she stumbles out of bed to make her morning coffee. After rousing from a faint, Amanda learns her intruder, Saje, is a trinket-hoarding, seed-spreading bastard of a Woodland Fairy. And he’s brought her a room full of May Day Baskets in hopes she'll trade a little pleasure.Instead of fleeing for her life--or admitting herself to the local looney bin--Amanda is drawn to Saje’s scrumptious body and carefree spirit. But once the brief, but oh-so satisfying sexcapade atop her dining room table is over, he refuses to leave. How will she get rid of him? Or will she want to?
***
Recently, through the power of enchantment, faith and our imagination, Saje met up with Dirk, from fellow author and friend-Jennifer Childers' upcoming release, 'Kindertransport'.
Kindersport: Nurse Erika Lehmier cares almost as a substitute mother for the children housed at Grafeneck Castle. When the SS confiscates Grafeneck, Erika discovers plans to turn the castle into a treatment center that will end the lives of such children with disabilities. Only one of "her" children, Heidi, has no visible handicap and thereby perhaps a chance to escape Nazi destruction. For the rest, can Erika make the heartbreaking decision to give them a peaceful death by her own hand as a loving alternative to the gas chamber? If not, how will they escape? Can she trust Rickard, when he wears an SS uniform?
Read and find out how holiday lessons were learned:
Dirk ran through the forest, his feet tromping heavily through the fallen leaves, small twigs cracked under his weight while sprigs of leaves smacked his face.The forest was the home of the Edelwiess Pirates, a teen resistance group protesting the Nazis. It didn't matter the protest was non violent, the man pursuing him would end the chase with a bullet if he had to.
A shadowed object appeared before him. Sliding on the fallen leaves, Dirk skidded to a halt, weapon drawn.
"I see you require my aid," the stranger declared, ignoring Dirk's weapon. His grayish wings came to rest against his back.
Dirk held his luger steady, this wasn't the man who was chasing him."Aid? Yes I am trying to apprehend a traitor. Did you see which way he went."Dirk strained his eyes against the dark, there was a small gust of wind and a gentle flapping noise as a shadow seemed to fall behind the person. Shadows playing tricks.
"I've been sent to rescue you from harm."
"You're going to keep me from harm?" Gregor smirked. "Harm from whom? The SS has no fear of this rabble" He could only assume the stranger meant the resistance. There was something different about the stranger, Gregor sensed an energy emanating from his presence. Something ancient. Why didn't he know?"What are you?" Dirk asked. He no longer heard the menacing footsteps behind him. Had he eluded capture? Was the stranger one of the SS?
"A Woodland Fae. But nevermind that, I need to get you out of here." Saje knocked the gun away and grabbed onto Dirk's biceps so fast, the man had no time to react before he summoned his magic. The next second, they were back in 2009........
The stranger's voice lulled him for a moment. Woodland fae? He must have hit his head on a branch.'What the?" Dirk was disarmed, before he could reach for the dagger, the stranger gripped his arm, in a merging of light and dark Dirk moved without moving. He whirled on the stranger."Where are we?"
Saje spun the man around to face the scene before them. "Our future." His eyes misted as he looked at his unborn, unnamed children nestled upon Amanda's lap while she told them a bedtime story. Soft lamp light illuminated her dark hair as they all sat on a beige oversized chair. A lump rose in his throat at the beautiful sight.
"Our future? What is this?" Dirk asked, standing still, afraid to disrupt the peace he witnessed.
"My wife and my future family."
Dirk pulled away from his grip and surveyed the room around them. "What does this have to do with me?"
"You are part of their ancestry and my happiness."
"Oh."
Saje stepped beside him. "If you stay on the course you take, you will be killed prior to siring a child. The Nazi's will eventually have you murdered. I cannot allow that. Without your offspring, my wife will not exist in this time."
"The Nazi's will kill me? I am one of them." He was resistance. Even if Dirk fooled the Nazis into believing him loyal his father wasn't. The man hated all the Nazis stood for.
Dirk watched the children for a moment. His gaze shifted to the mother, a silver necklace graced her pale skin, catching the light as she moved. Dirk recognized the edelwiess pendant. It looked like the medal given to his father years ago, it was a medal of honor made to resemble this token of pure love. Dirk reached for the medal in his pocket, his fingers curled around the silver medallion. He handed it to the man."How? Who?" he studied the young woman again. his eyes misted.
Saje turned the medallion in his palm and fingered it's fine silver. He pocketed the treasure for Amanda later. "Hitler, because of your father's beliefs."
"Does my father get killed?" Dirk asked.
"Yes."
Dirk looked him in the eye. "I need to save him."
"And you?"
"Now that I am aware, I can protect myself and him from death." The resistance will continue the fight.
Could he trust him? Saje watched Amanda's face. He loved her so much. He looked at Dirk again. "I will bring you back to save your father, but I keep the medalliion.
Dirk had to face facts. It was possible the Germans could win the war. Self interest aside, he loved his father. His loyalty lost him his best friends, he couldn't lose his father too. All the talk of honor and glory could never replace the man who raised him. He had to try."Keep the medallion. Family honor comes first. I have no future without it."Dirk slipped the medallion into the stranger's hand. He squinted his eyes before the image of the woman and children could fade. Events would pass into history but family was forever.
***
I wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Actually, she's not. Sarita is stuck in the middle of the big northeast ice storm. I'm her friend Sue, filling in for her. A few days ago, when the storm was gearing up Sarita called and asked if I could post something for her this morning if she didn't show up by six a.m. She's not here so I'm thinking she must still be without power.
It's a shame she's not here to make her first post on this fabulous blog but I am sure that when the ice clears she will pop in.
Legal Tender is a paranormal romance from Whiskey Creek Press. It came out a couple of months ago and I know it is getting great reviews. I read it and loved it!
The details....
Lindy thinks she has it all. An exciting life in New York City. Career prospects. Men. And she does, too. That is, until Granny Walker is killed. Then, all bets are off.
To satisfy the terms of Granny’s will Lindy must step into her grandmother’s orthopedic shoes and assume her place on the family farm. She’ll have to uncover the mystery between a raging bull and a Mustang, all while finding a husband and fighting off a nasty cousin.
Life on the farm makes a white sale at Bloomie’s look like child’s play!
Can a woman who’s more comfortable in stilettos than boots move from the city to the country and still have everything she’s always dreamed of? Maybe she can—with some luck and a lot of help from Granny Walker herself.
You see, the wise-cracking, advice-giving ghost isn’t quite ready to give up the old homestead. Not yet, anyway.
Reviews for Legal Tender....
“To fulfill the terms of her grandmother's will, Lindy must live in the old woman's home, take over the business she began, and within a year, marry. She must also,though this is unstated, put up with Granny's ghost hovering around her. Lindy's main motive is to keep her witch of a cousin from getting the place, but soon, she finds herself wondering if there's a murder to solve and discovering romance might be part of her future, but with which of the men pursuing her?
This book is fun. Granny's ghost is one that will keep a smile on your face. Though the plot is somewhat meandering, there is such charm to the narrative that you won't mind.” Reviewer Amanda Killgore
“The book revolves around the seasons. In the early summer, strawberries are ready and in the fall the apples. In between, flowers bloom with Lindy's love life. Nothing is rushed which makes it enjoyable to watch the action unfold naturally. That doesn't mean the book is slow or nothing is happening, just that everything develops in a natural sequence. This is a great book to curl up with on a rainy/snowy day. It's has humor, love, mystery and a happy ending for everyone.” Terri, Night Owl Romance Reviews
5 Angels! “Legal Tender is the third book I have read by Sarita Leone. I enjoy her as a writer. She makes all her stories fun to read in addition to being easy flowing from page to page. I never have to worry about having a hard time finishing a book that Sarita Leone has written, which is a good thing. I can’t wait to see what Mrs. Leone comes up with next.” Reviewed by Cheryl, Fallen Angel Reviews
I write paranormal and fantasy stories. Why? Because I like the idea of magic and dragons flying in the sky. Right now the world seems too real, as if hope is missing in everyone’s lives. Growing up, I loved the idea of exploring space. I looked forward to shuttle launches and the next episode of whatever popular sci-fi show was on TV. Yet December 1972 was the last time man walked on the moon and the future of space exploration is questionable. So writing about fantastic worlds is about as exciting as it gets for me. So how to start? For me the hard part is going from head to paper. I’m a pantster—I like taking an idea and writing the story from start to finish. I don’t like to plot and I don’t skip scenes. These things work for other authors, just not me.
So let’s start with the idea. I currently have more ideas than time to write, so not a problem. I get them from dreams, lines in songs, poems, and every day events. Let’s say we wanted to have a story that involved mistletoe. Hey it’s Christmas work with me. Our first step is to do a little research into mistletoe. What cultures and myths can we work with? As it turns out, mistletoe can be very adaptable. It can be associated with fertility or death and has Greek, Norse, and Celtic ties. So you know you can set the story as either a contemporary or historical. I’m not feeling the historical so let’s go contemporary.
Now the next step, do you want your main characters to meet by kissing under the mistletoe or do something different? Nothing wrong with the standby—the heroine could be shy and she caught the more popular hero or it could be old lover’s meeting again and forced by mutual friends to kiss under the mistletoe. But I’m feeling a bit different today….Let’s move this party outside.
Mistletoe is a parasite and if left unchecked can kill the host plant. (There are good points like it can be used for bird nests and brings more birds to the host plant for pollination.) So our heroine has a few oak trees (could also use juniper or apple trees) in her backyard with some overgrown mistletoe. A man walks under one of the trees and a large branch falls on his head. What happens next?
Well lots of things – Our hero could be the man and they fall madly in love.
Or the man could sue the heroine and the cop investigating the accident or the lawyer the heroine finds to defend her becomes the hero.
Or the man could develop amnesia and the heroine takes him in. The man’s brother sees them together on the street and follows them home. He confronts the heroine and takes his brother home and sues the heroine. The heroine fights back and investigates the brother and they have several dinners together. Eventually they work things out and manage to create a relationship.
Okay the last part is a bit weak but my characters usually take me places as I write. Trying to plan it out ahead of time doesn’t work for me. But you get the idea. That’s how I start a story. I generally get a scene or even some item that needs to be associated with a story and off I go.
Yes, it's true....I'm just nipping in at the last minute with the video trailer for my upcoming release (Friday, December 12 at www.thewildrosepress.com), CARIBBEAN DREAMS OF LOVE, a light paranormal featuring a lonely woman on a Caribbean cruise with her precocious teenage daughter, a mysterious musician, a ghost, a pirate, and nightly dinner tales of legends and curses. I had great fun with this video, especially taking the pictures!
Blurb:Daisy and her sixteen-year-old daughter, Lily, are embarking on a Caribbean cruise. She isn’t looking for anything special on the cruise other than a pleasant break from her humdrum existence as long-time divorced single mother to a busy teenage girl.She certainly isn’t prepared for an enigmatic man named Peter whose idiosyncrasies in dress and speech mark him as an eccentric person to avoid. But Daisy can’t avoid him. In fact, she begins to obsess about him from the first moment she catches him staring at her in the cruise ship terminal.Peter remains elusive and mysterious throughout the cruise. She catches sight of him occasionally, never often enough to please her, and they connect one wonderful night as he sweeps her into his arms for a waltz. A waltz? On a Caribbean cruise ship?While Daisy’s dinner companions share nightly tales of the legends of cursed pirates, Daisy dreams of the mysterious man who has captured her heart.
Excerpt:
Bjorn glanced at his enrapt audience and took a deep breath.Daisy cringed.Something was coming.
“And with his last ounce of strength, Captain Smith grabbed his sword and plunged it in Gentleman Jones’ heart.”
A stab of pain seemed to knife through Daisy’s own heart, and she involuntarily put a hand to the painful spot just below her left collarbone.
Even Becky was speechless, her jaw hung open.Lily took a breath and asked the question uppermost in Daisy’s mind.
“Did he...does he...?”
“They say he still wanders the Caribbean, alone and lonely, a ghost with no hope of dying or returning to the living.”
Bjorn’s voice drifted away.He scanned the faces of his audience solemnly.
He shrugged.“But it’s just a silly story, one of many.Who knows if any of them are true?”
And in a surprise move, he picked up his fork and resumed eating.Johana smiled demurely and took a sip of water before she too resumed eating.
Bjorn’s stunned dinner companions stared at him.Lily, Daisy and Becky exchanged glances.
Jim broke the silence when he started laughing and clapped Bjorn on the back.Bjorn choked slightly and put his napkin to his lips.
“Well, you sure had us going.I’ll give you that.So...no truth to the story?”
Bjorn leaned slightly away from Jim and shrugged once again.“I find the Caribbean folklore fascinating, but many of the stories are just that.Stories.I heard this tale from a man in a museum in Nassau once.I liked it.”He gave the group a sheepish smile.
“So, it’s just a fairy tale?” Becky asked.
“Not a fairy tale,” Bjorn smiled slightly.“Just an old legend.If the story were true, we would have to believe in ghosts...and I for one do not care to think about such things.”He picked up his knife and fork again and began to cut his food, seemingly no longer interested.
“Just a legend,” murmured Johana.She shook her head in amusement.“A story.Bjorn has many.”
“Mom, what are you doing?Are you okay?”
Daisy turned to meet her daughter’s eyes.Lily nodded toward Daisy’s hand still dramatically clutched to her chest.
She colored and dropped her hand.The pain had eased.
I've always been interested in the paranormal – ghosties and ghoulies and things that go bump in the night – so paranormal is the perfect genre for me. Time travel especially interests me. What could be more exciting than traveling to a distant time and meeting a gorgeous hunk (which in reality probably wouldn't happen – but this is romantic fiction and I can do what I want). In my real life, I am a legal assistant with a downtown law firm in Boise, Idaho. I am married to my best friend and fan, a proud mother of 3 sons and a baby granddaughter who is just amazing. Previously, I choreographed, taught and performed dance for over 27 years but quit so I could take part in my other interests. I started writing in approximately January of 2006, finished my first novel “Fiona,” that summer and sold it to The Wild Rose Press in late December, 2006 or early January 2007. I sold my second novel “Riley’s Journey” to The Wild Rose Press shortly thereafter.
Besides my two novels already in print, I have a Free Read available through The Wild Rose Press, "Prophecy's Bride," about a young woman's thoughts just before she walks down the aisle. I also have two upcoming releases. My third novel, “Aimee’s Locket” is about a young woman who is thrown back through time to 1847 and the start of the Oregon Trail. My shorter story, “Heart of the Sorcerer,” is again about time travel and involves a painting on the wall which is the portal to the past. I am currently working on a vampire story which is in its finishing stages.
I find research into my subjects to be interesting and rewarding. “Riley’s” was an exciting research project, but so was “Fiona.” Sometimes I get so involved in the research, I forget to write. “Fiona” began when I watched the Discovery Channel about the Urumchi Mummies found in Northern China near the Taklamakan Desert. One of the mummies found was a young blonde woman thought to be a sacrificial victim. Made me sad so I decided she needed a happier ending. "Riley's Journey" just happened because I love stories about the Ice Age. "Aimee's Locket" came into being when I was reading a story about the Oregon Trail and "Heart of the Sorcerer" was just an attempt to write a shorter story. I truly find writing shorter stories hard for me because I have too much to say.
I think my best advice to other authors is to write about subjects that interest you and write with passion. Feel what your characters are feeling and then try to put it in words.
Riley’s Journey By P. L. Parker
The research project was only supposed to be for an “extended period.” No one said anything about forever! So Riley’s journey begins. Sent back 40,000 years to be the mate of a man she’d never before met, Riley struggles to understand and adjust. Her journey will take her into a world fraught with dangers - a world made more treacherous by savage beasts, primitive Neanderthals, and the incursion of the aggressive Cro-Magnon man. Surviving alone for five years in this vast wilderness, Nathan, along with his enormous dog, Demon, carve out a life in the perilous environment. Though thrown together by forces beyond their control, love grows between Riley and Nathan – but will they survive?
Excerpt:
Nathan bellowed a war cry and jumped into the fray, slashing and whirling in a lethal dance of death. More than one newcomer instantly fell beneath his onslaught, but more entered the battle. Riley’s hand fastened on her war club and, gripping it tightly, she moved into position behind Nathan, protecting his back as he dealt blow after blow on the now surprised and defensive warriors. Moving in time with Nathan, Riley matched his ferocity, enraged by the unwarranted attack and fighting as though demons snapped at her heels. They fought as one, joined by their will to survive amidst overwhelming odds. Had Nathan had the opportunity to enjoy the spectacle, he would have applauded the intensity and determination with which she landed every blow. She was an Amazon woman of myth, a Valkyrie of the Asgaard, or a Warrior Queen. The months of combat training and warfare techniques drilled into her on a daily basis came into fruition, culminating in this single moment. She defended her position well, holding out against the rampaging aggressors, meting out vicious blows to those who ventured too close.
Fiona By P. L. Parker Love survives the ravages of time. Set against the backdrop of the Taklamakan Desert, Fiona, a beautiful modern young woman of Celtic heritage, finds herself transported to ancient China, to a time of barbarian warriors, marauding nomads from the northern steppes, and at what was then a crossroad between East and West. Fiona finds a new way of life in the arms of the handsome warrior, Kellach, a man of noble stature and a leader among the Celtic settlements ringing the great desert. Desperate to return to the present and struggling against her mounting feelings, Fiona finally accepts her fate, exulting in the rapture and delights of Kellach’s love, only to have Voadicia, a beautiful seductress, destroy that dream of happiness. Kellach’s soul searches the mists of time, yearning to be reunited with his one love.
Excerpt:
There it was again, Fiona thought, I definitely heard something this time. She slowly turned around and gasped. She was definitely hallucinating now. It appeared to her muddled mind that horsemen were standing in a line behind her. Because of the sun’s positioning and her injured eye, she wasn’t able to really see them clearly, but from their outline, they almost looked like Indians. But, no, the sun glinted off what appeared to be shades of blonde, red and brown hair. Perhaps they were from the Festival, they certainly looked the part. It was all just too confusing and she couldn’t grasp the significance of what was occurring. Kellach’s men recoiled. The crone’s visage was a nightmare to be sure. The left side of her face was a mass of purplish bruises and her left eye was swollen shut. Dried blood covered the right side of face and her lips were swollen and cracked. She appeared to be ancient, so bent over was she. A shawl covered her head, and strands of dirty white hair hung around her face. Her clothing was filthy and torn in a good number of places. From a quick perusal, Kellach could see that she had tied her left arm to her body and was leaning heavily on the stick she carried. Fiona dropped to her knees, “Thank god,” she croaked, “I had almost given up. What took you so long?” She almost didn’t recognize her own voice, it was so hoarse and gravelly sounding. Kellach looked around the group, “Do any of you understand what she said?” They all looked blank.
Coming Soon From The Wild Rose Press Aimee’s Locket By P. L. Parker
The antique ivory locket was the key! Exquisite and enchanting, it drew Aimee like a magnet. Though the locket cost every spare penny she had, it was money well spent – or so she thought! Catapulted back to the year 1847, Aimee finds herself alone in St. Louis, Missouri, the jumping off site for the Oregon Trail. The much touted slogan “Go West Young Man” takes on new meaning. Seattle, her home in the present, was a distant dream, and unless she found a suitable male willing to marry, Aimee would be left behind when the emigrant train departed, bound for the Oregon Territory. Jake Marshall, scout for the Markham Party, was the perfect, if unwilling choice. Undaunted by his overt rudeness, Aimee entices Jake to the altar, promising her diamond earrings as payment for a marriage of convenience. Properly wed, she thereby secures passage on the wagon train, and embarks on a chain of events that would ultimately culminate in the far reaches of the great American West.
Heart of the Sorcerer By: P.L. Parker
Drawn inexplicably back to her childhood home, Annalisa returns, seeking to fill the void existing in her loveless life. Granny Jean, Annalisa’s adopted grandmother, failing in health and mental acuity, endeavors to discover the secrets of Annalisa’s soul, wanting nothing more than Annalisa to be happy before Gran leaves this earth. A picture hangs over the mantle of Gran’s cottage depicting a beautiful man of another time, a man who haunts Annalisa’s every dream, a man who calls her to return. Unknown to Annalisa, Gran and Alec, the man in the painting, have set forth a course of events to eventually send Annalisa back, back into the arms of Alec.
Available Now from the Wild Rose Press Free Reads:
Prophecy’s Bride By P. L. Parker
The portents named her the future queen and prophetess - a divination Jessamin fervently resists. Forced to wed a man she’s never seen, Jessamin’s prospects appear bleak and without hope. Can Tabor’s presence at the altar transform her grim imaginings?
Leave a comment to be entered in the drawing to win a free download of "Riley's Journey."
A little about me. I'm a southern girl and a nurse. I've been writing little stories for me all my life and just decided to become an author about 5 years ago. I love reading and can never find enough books to keep me going. I decided I'd try to write my own.
Ghostly Mistakes is a paranormal romantic suspence with elements of comedy. Lizzy planned to make this mission short and sweet, but thanks to her client, Carl Taylor's inability to provide details, it looks as if she was in for an extended adventure. A dangerous farmer with buried secrets, and the zealous accusations of a lady's church group keep her on her toes. If all this isn't enough to complicate her task, her growing attraction to the highway patrolman who caught her speeding, adds spice to the brew. If she doesn't solve the puzzle left in her hands, she could find herself stuck with Carl for life. Oh, did I mention he isn't a paying customer? Well, being a ghost does limit your financial abilities.
“Good thoughts!’ Forcing a smile to start her off, Lizzy began listing the things she could look forward to once she gained her release from Carl. She would once again be able to watch her favorite TV shows without his constant interruptions. Food! Eating without his gross outs at the table. The smile was nearly natural now. The thought of being able to shower without the fear Carl would pop in to torment her was more than enough to strengthen her resolve. She’d even begun to keep a towel in the shower for when he made one of his impromptu visits. With the closest cemetery now looming ahead of her she found it easier to shed her worries over what she still had left to accomplish. For about five minutes.
Hi everyone It's my turn to blog today and I'm so happy to be here. I love all aspects of the 'paranormal' genre, including fantasy, science fiction, and of course ghost stories and the 'unexplained.' I have two stories released with The Wild Rose Press at the moment. My fantasy story 'Dancing With Fate' is one of nine stories in the 'Song Of The Muses' series, and features Terpsichore, the Muse of Dance, who I sent to 5th Century Wales, where her destiny becomes involved with that of another legendary character.
My other book, 'Starquest' is a futuristic romanctic novel and the 'book of my heart' to use a cliche. I was thrilled that it was 'Book Of The Week' at LASR last week. Thank you so much if you voted. Here's the blurb:
'When Jestine Darnell is rescued from her sabotaged starship by the crew of the Destiny her only objective is to complete her mission and keep her promise to save a world from slavery. Love is the last thing on her mind. However, she has not counted on losing her heart to Kerry Marchant the ship’s second in command, who makes his distrust of her painfully obvious, despite the chemistry between them. The completion of her mission has consequences neither of them could have foreseen.
Enter Dahll Tarron, who becomes involved in a long and dangerous quest to find the Destiny. Fates become intertwined, perils shared, culminating in the realization that sometimes love may be so close there is a danger it will not be recognized until it is too late…'
Starquest is a tender love story, but it is also an adventure story, set in the future and on a variety of planets, with plenty of action. The main character does not have it easy, almost losing her life and her sanity, and suffering at the hands of a vicious slaver who enjoys inflicting pain. Threads of friendship and enduring love run through the story, but is she in danger of losing both?
If you'd like to read excerpts from these you can find them on my website WWW.HYWELALYN.CO.UK . There's a trailer for Starquest in my earlier post here.
I also have a 'freeread' with the Wild Rose Press which you can find HERE.
As well as being fascinated by the 'paranormal' I am also keenly interested in the stars and the wonders of space. One of my favourite constelations is 'Orion' the Hunter. I love to look at him in the night sky, with his famous three star sword in his belt. I named the space academy where Jess, in 'Starquest' learnt to fly a starship, after Orion. There are several charming legends about him, including one in which it is said Artemis loved Orion and was seriously considering giving up her vows of chastity to marry him. As the greatest male and female hunters they would have made a formidable couple. But Apollo, twin brother of Artemis, was against the match. One day, while Orion was swimming, Apollo challenged Artemis to demonstrate her skill at archery by hitting a small black object that he pointed out bobbing among the waves. Artemis pierced it with one shot – and was horrified to find that she had killed Orion. Grieving, she placed him among theconstellations where he shines to this day. To celebrate the print release of Starquest yesterday, I'm holding a contest to win:
1. An autographed copy of 'Starquest'
2. A special 'Starquest' Teeshirt with the cover printed on the front. Large or Medium - winer's choice
3. A handy Desk calendar for 2009
4. A pair of tiny 'blue rose' earrings'. (To see find out the significance of the blue rose you need to read the story)
To enter - just go to my WEBSITE and read the first chapter of Starquest to find the answer to this question -
What is the name of theDESTINY'Scomputer? Be careful because there are two ships and two computers in this chapter - I want the second one. When you've found it, email me at Contest@hywelalyn .co.uk before 27th December, making sure I have your email address. I'll get the prizewinner's pack out to them early in the New Year.
Don't forget, books make wonderful presents and if you'd like an autographed copy for a Christmas gift, just email me at Lyn@hywelalyn.co.uk or go to my website http://www.hywelalyn.co.uk/where there's a purchase link.
I looked up the definition for paranormal in Webster's Dictionary. It read, "of or pertaining to events or perceptions occurring without scientific explanation, as clairvoyance or extrasensory perception."
Today, clairvoyants are used to help find victims and solve crimes. It wasn't long ago that the mere thought of using someone with supernatural powers in police work was laughable. We're not laughing now, and many victim's families have been grateful for their powers.
I can't say that everything we hear about ghosts and other supernatural events are true, or that what happens couldn't be caused by something in nature, but to me the stories are interesting. Some afternoons I find myself in front of the television watching "Hauntings." It's downright scary and triggers all sorts of story ideas in my head.
Of course, the paranormal genre in writing isn't confined to what I've discussed above. We have stories about vampires, werewolves, zombies, and the list goes on. I doubt anyone really believes in such entities, but it sure is fun to pretend. It doesn't take much for a good writer to get me all wrapped up in their stories and in that case, I do believe, for a time anyway. It's an escape from the ordinary and oh so much fun -- or not -- more frightening. Pure entertainment.
My paranormal stories are mainly time travels. Wouldn't it be fun to travel back to a previous time period, or for that matter, move forward? Time travels are a way to experience history using modern perceptions.
In my contemporary stories, I occasionally like to add a touch of the paranormal.
Here is a short excerpt from my current release from Champagne Books, Forever Faithful. You can watch the book trailer on my website at http://www.lindalaroque.com/ and also view the one for my current and upcoming time travels with The Wild Rose Press.
A whisper of something touched his face. His eyes flew open as a smoke ring erupted from an invisible source aimed at his face. It was followed by another and another. Lucas lay still and watched the perfectly formed circles reach him and disintegrate. Maybe he was still asleep. He sat up in the bed and the display continued. A shiver ran up his spine. Sam was the only person he knew who could blow smoke rings like what he saw.
"Sam, is that you?"
His answer came in the form of a smoke ring that hovered in the air and pulsed. Guess that’s a yes. "Guess you’re pretty pissed about my and Gail’s problems." The smoke grew so thick Lucas coughed. "Yeah, don’t blame you. Wish I could say I’d fix it, but don’t know if it’s possible." He waited for another response but didn’t get one.
Lucas woke coughing. Smoke, he was choking on smoke. The whole thing had been a dream and the house was on fire. He lunged out of bed and raced down the hall to Gail’s room, and then realized there was no smoke. Just outside her door, he stopped to think. Chief would’ve sensed the fire and alerted them. He must have been dreaming. Unable to return to bed without checking on Gail, he quietly opened the door and peeked in. Chief lifted his head, and his tail thumped the floor. A sigh of relief rushed from Lucas’s chest. All appeared well in there.
He closed the door and returned to Sam’s room. Stale cigarette smoke met him as he entered. Back in bed, he pondered what had happened. Had it been a dream? Seconds before he dozed off again, a small smoke ring danced before his face, and then disappeared.
Thanks for stopping by and please leave a comment.
Linda
Linda LaRoque ~ Western Romance with a Twist in Time. A Law of Her Own, TWRP; Forever Faithful, Nov 1, 2008 Champagne Books; Desires of the Heart, March 4, 2009, My Heart Will Find Yours, May 1, 2009, Flames on the Sky coming soon from TWRP; Investment of the Heart coming May 1, 2009 from Champagne Books. www.lindalaroque.com
