I’m not even going to pretend to know much about the world of paranormal. I simply do not. Thank goodness I have an expert here who has so perceptively drawn some very unique parallels between her paranormal world and my historical one that I’m compelled to pick one up. With the Twilight Zone music playing in my ear, I ask you to welcome Avon’s Pamela Palmer to The Season Blog.
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Paranormal Romance – Historicals in disguise?
I know what you’re thinking: What in the world is this woman talking about? But hear me out. The idea may not be as crazy as it sounds.
I love historical romances. I read them to be transported to a different time, a different world, but also because some of my favorite romantic scenarios just don’t work well in our modern equality-of-the-sexes existence. In real life, I absolutely want to be treated as an equal to any man, totally in control of my own life. But in my romance reading? Sweep me away! I want bigger-than-life heroes and strong heroines made vulnerable by circumstances or society. Or by the simple fact that compared to the heroes, they’re basically powerless.
These kinds of stories don’t work all that well in contemporaries. Doctors, billionaires, Navy SEALs, all have their appeal, don’t get me wrong. But modern heroes are still generally constrained by the rules of our society. Kidnappings don’t go over well in contemporary romances, any more than they do in real life. Neither do threats of, ‘Marry me or else.’ Modern women tend to take a dim view of such caveman tactics and contemporary men know that if they try to pull such stunts, they’re more likely to find themselves in the role of villain, rather than hero.
Where, then, do you find stories with heroes who straddle the line so beautifully between hero and villain? Historicals, of course. And lush, dark paranormals. Pirates, Vikings, dastardly Regency rakes, vampires, and shape-shifters – dangerous heroes all, in their own way – bigger than life, and made for romance.
Just like the historical heroine, in a paranormal romance, a tough modern woman can find herself utterly powerless against a hero she can’t control. Suddenly, despite years of equality, she finds herself out of her depth, face to face with danger personified, and falling in love with a male who at first glance appears to be more villain than hero, until she sees inside his heart.
The first three books in my Feral Warriors series from Avon are prime examples. The heroes are all immortal shape-shifters, each the last of his unique animal line, each able to shift into his animal at will. They’re bigger than life, powerful, and very, very dangerous.
In book 1, Desire Untamed, the hero, Lyon, absolutely kidnaps the heroine, ripping her from her world. She thinks she’s human, a small town pre-school teacher. He knows she’s immortal and the only one who can save his race. There’s no negotiation, no ‘my lawyer will get back to your lawyer.’ When she refuses to go with him, he simply knocks her out and carries her off. Very Viking-like. Very un-PC. She soon finds herself in a dark and dangerous situation, not just from a villain she can only sense, but from the nine deadly shape-shifters who refuse to let her go. And like in any good gothic romance, she quickly discovers she’s falling in love with the man, the lion shape-shifter, who holds her life very literally in his hands.
Desire Untamed
Author: Pamela Palmer
Publisher: Avon
Pub. Date: June 30
ISBN-13: 978-0061667510
384 pages
Kara MacAllister’s quiet small-town life is transformed forever the night a powerful stranger rips her from her home, claiming she is the chosen one – the key to his survival. Spiriting her away into the rain-soaked night, Lyon reveals a truth Kara can barely credit. She’s immortal, and the only one who can save his race. And deep within her, he arouses a fierce, primal hunger beyond anything she’s ever imagined. But only when their lives are threatened by an ancient evil will Kara and Lyon realize they have found a love they would risk their immortal souls to claim…and a powerful desire that could never, ever be tamed.
In book 2, Obsession Untamed, a tough human FBI agent finds herself in a world she can barely credit with a choice few contemporary heroines ever face from a hero. Marry him or die, for she’s seen too much. The heroine asks the tiger shape-shifter, “Why bind yourself to me when you don’t want me?” The hero’s reply? “Who says I don’t want you?”
Obsession Untamed
Author: Pamela Palmer
Publisher: Avon
Pub. Date: July 28
ISBN-13: 978-0061667527
384 pages
Every time she closes her eyes, Delaney Randall suffers another nightmare. A brutal serial killer has found his way inside the tough, take-no-prisoners FBI agent’s head. Now she lives the murders through his eyes, from his deadly approach, to his victims’ screams. Until the night he breaks into her apartment and she fears she’s going to be the next to die. But the man who snatches Delaney from her home isn’t the murderer. He’s Tighe, a dangerous Feral Warrior who needs her and her visions to stop the rampages of a creature as inhuman as he is evil. Tighe has little use for humans, but as he and Delaney join forces to track the dark fiend, he falls for the intense beauty and becomes wild with an obsession as untamed as his heart.
In book 3, Passion Untamed, the heroine is perhaps the most achingly vulnerable of any I’ve ever written. She’s a Mage witch, an enemy of the Feral Warriors and a prisoner of an evil man – a villain who forces her to lure and trap one of the Ferals. The hero, Paenther, has every reason to hate her, and when he turns the tables on her, escaping and dragging her with him, he has good reason to kill her. His Feral brothers want him to do just that. But his heart keeps whispering, “She’s the one.”
Passion Untamed
Author: Pamela Palmer
Publisher: Avon
Pub. Date: August 25
ISBN-13: 978-0061667534
384 pages
Though the Mage witch Skye has a gentle heart, demonic forces have enslaved her, forcing her to kidnap Paenther, a powerful and dangerous Feral Warrior. Even chained and naked, Paenther is a cunning prisoner who seduces her, body and soul, turning captive into captor. Paenther’s pride demands revenge against the enchantress who emerged from the deep woods like a sensual vision and enthralled him, even as she makes his body burn with passion. Despite his fury over her treachery, Skye’s gentle beauty calls to his soul, calming the wild chaos within him, and stealing his heart. But when evil threatens, Paenther and Skye’s only chance at survival is to trust in one another…and the power of love.
All three are romantic scenarios that would work equally well as historicals, and not well at all as straight contemporary romances. Which is why I tend to think of paranormals as contemporary-set historicals. Or historicals in scary Halloween-masks.
So I’d love to know – what draws you to historicals? And, while you’re at it, have you ever read a contemporary paranormal?
One lucky commenter will win Pamela’s entire trilogy.
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Haven’t been spooked enough this Hallow’s Eve? No? Perfect! Avon is giving away 3 (three) copies of Jaime Rush’s October release, Out of the Darkness, book two in her Offspring series. Check out the eyes on this hero. Very, very nice…
Out of the Darkness
Author: Jaime Rush
Publisher: Avon
Pub. Date: September 29
ISBN-13: 978-0061690365
384 pages
They live ordinary lives, but they are extraordinary. They are the Offspring, children of a mysterious experiment gone awry—and they are in terrible danger.
Rand Brandenburg can see the future, yet thus far all he has done with his unique ability is become a skillful gambler. But according to the Offspring, his power has made him a target and could get him killed. So the loner used to living on the edge is now hiding out with others just like him, including Zoe Stoker, a mysterious redhead who has his heart soaring.
But that’s not the only thing Zoe’s got flying. All her life, whenever she felt anything too intensely, objects would start moving. She’s never been able to control her power, so instead she’s shut down her emotions. Now, as a powerful enemy approaches, she’s losing control of her heart. But letting love lead her out of the darkness might save her life . . .
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Bev, we love Pamela and Jaime, but are there any debut paranormal authors we should be looking at?
I hear ya, I hear ya. It’s debut week and thankfully Katiebabs came to the rescue to supply us with a several new paranormal/urban fantasy/sci-fi authors’ books to keep an eye out for.
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Things that go bump in the night. Adventures in space, fighting aliens on other planets. A group of men who have lived for centuries, looking for the key to their salvation. These scenarios take place in our favorite Paranormal, Urban Fantasy and Science Fiction Romances. In 2009, these romance genres exploded and there were some new faces who have certainly made themselves known.
Here are some of the welcomed debut authors of the class of 2009 in Paranormal, Urban Fantasy and Sci-Fi Romance!
Jess Granger’s debut novel, Beyond the Rain was released in August from Berkley. Jess’s world building and characters are unique, especially with her alien hero Soren who has been saved by Cyani, a confused space captain who keeps her emotions and desires in check. Both are complex individuals, but through communication and understanding for each other’s natures, they bond in such a way that is sexy and endearing. If you are a fan of Lauren Dane, Ann Aguirre or Linnea Sinclair’s books, definitely keep Jess on your radar. She is one welcomed sci fi romance author who is not to be missed in the next year.
Looking for a bit of humor and snark in your books? Molly Harper may be your answer. Molly arrived on the scene with her first book, Nice Girls Don’t Have Fangs from Pocket back in March. This is the first book in her Jane Jameson series where Jane, the fired former children’s librarian must get used to her new life as a vampire. Enchanting, hysterical and witty are a few words that come to mind when you think of Molly’s writing.
There is great buzz behind Kelly Meding whose first release, Three Days To Dead, will be out in a few weeks and is published from Bantam Dell. She is the perfect author for any fan of Urban Fantasy with a heroine who is a former paranormal bounty hunter that has found herself in a very strange situation. Ivy won’t quit as she looks for answers on why she is being hunted. Gritty and fast-paced are only a few words to describe Kelly Meding.
If you are in the mood for a murder mystery with demons, then Diana Rowland is the author to check out. Diana’s Mark of the Demon, available from Bantam, is a combination of urban fantasy and a police procedural, much like a supernatural Law & Order. Mark of the Demon had a nice steamy atmospheric plot where a serial killer in Louisiana is causing terror and only Homicide Detective Kara Gillian can solve the case. I would definitely keep an eye on Diana and the sequel, Blood of the Demon when it hits the shelves in February 2010.
Nicole Peeler is one of Orbit’s biggest debut authors this year. Her release Tempest Rising has a much talked about cover and her Jane True series will be one readers’ tongues. Tempest Rising is about a 26 year old bookstore clerk, who because she enjoys swimming at night, is where she finds out about a whole new world that gets her more than she bargained for. If you enjoying reading about underwater adventures with a heroine who is quick on her feet and able to defeat the bad guys, I would definitely give this book, that is a combination of both urban fantasy and mystery a read.
Carrie Ryan is one of the brightest authors to come out this year. Carrie is a Young Adult author whose futuristic post apocalyptic zombie tale from Delacorte is one of the most talked about books this year. Forest of Hands and Teeth is also a tragic romance within the pages that tugs at your heart with an uncertain happily ever after. Want to read a book that will have you looking over your shoulders in fear as you read? Forest of Hands and Teeth is definitely one where the hairs on your arms will raise. I can say with much certainty that Carrie will give many paranormal young adult authors a run for their money.
These are only a few of my favorite debut authors this year who have written excellent, paranormal, sci fi, urban fantasy and speculative romance. What are some of your favorite debut authors or books from these specific genres?
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And for those who don’t necessarily want the thrills and chills of a spookier story, Kensington has supplied me with 2 copies of a sweet, contemporary romance with rich emotional depth from another debut author, Pauline Trent titled Falling In Love. Comment to for a chance to win.
Falling In Love
Author: Pauline Trent
Publisher: Kensington
Pub. Date: February 1
ISBN-13: 978-0821781418
320 pages
After years in the military, Chris Montgomery is looking for somewhere to relax and recharge, and Lambert Falls, with its tree-lined streets and picturesque town square, seems ideal. Chris expected that a stranger in town would attract suspicion and gossip. He didn’t expect to meet someone like Angie Kane, with her warm, open smile and self contained air that are instantly intriguing. Angie has built a satisfying life for herself, one she’s not willing to uproot for someone who’s just passing through. But Chris is quietly persistent – not to mention handsome and charming. Against her own better judgment, Angie finds herself falling deeper than she ever intended – until one phone call forces her to choose between the town she’s always loved, and a man she can’t imagine living without…
I love historicals because they transport me to another time and place. Like you mentioned, I also enjoy the scenarios that are possible in an historical because of the social mores of a particular era. It’s great escapism!
I’ve definitely read some fabulous contemporary paranormals. Nalini Singh’s Psy/Changeling series, Gena Showalter’s Atlantis & Lords of the Underworld series’, & Larissa Ione’s Demonica series are three that immediately come to mind. 🙂
LOL I need some caffeine. Nalini Singh’s Psy/Changeling series is set in the future, but it’s still awesome. And I can’t believe I forget to mention Kresley Cole’s fabulous Immortals After Dark series {:0
I had never been a fan of the paranormal. I’m a self proclaimed scaredy cat who cowers under covers and pillows when even the thought of watching something scary. Then I read those twilight books because everyone was reading them and I thought well its YA it can’t be scary. Then some mentioned JR Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood telling me that if I wanted real vampires (yes, real ones) then I needed to read her books and now I’m obsessed! I’ve also started to wander into the world of Chistine Feehan’s Dark Series.
I think historicals and contemporary paranormals seem to go together because they make you use your imagination. They take you away from what you know, like hanging out at a bar… with a vampire, or making a mad dash to Gretna Green in a coach. If they can take me away at least for alittle bit then the writers did a wonderful job!
I usually read contemporary paranormal romances. There is something about being able to identify with the experiences and emotions of the human, and sometimes non-human, characters that just works for me. Plus, who doesn’t love the thrill that a world where monsters exists gives?
Alternatively, I am very picky when it comes to my historicals. Too much accurate time-period detail throws me off the story and makes me want to go do research to verify it. Not enough and it is hard to get into. I traditionally go for rebel stories, on either the hero or heroine’s part. Plus, the ones that capture my attention most readily are the stories that include some form of intrigue or deception…which some historical romance authors are great at including.
I grew up being a History nerd and when I first started reading romance novels, they were mostly the ones I stole from my mother’s library pile and she read historical romance novels. Since then, I’ve read far more historical romances than I can recall off the top of my head. I love reading about courageous highlanders and dashing gentlemen of the Ton. I love reading about cowboys and knights and the occasional ruthless warlord.
Aside from my avid love for historical romance novels, I also love reading paranormal romances. I’m a huge Sherrilyn Kenyon fan, as well as a fan of JR Ward, Kim Harrison, Christine Feehan, Richelle Mead, Charlaine Harris, Katie MacAlister, Karen Marie Moning, Marjorie M. Liu, and a number of other fantastic paranormal authors whose names escape me at present.
The thing that draws me most to reading historicals and paranormals is the true feeling of escapism. I know I’m not going to go off to a ball during the Season or going to go on a date with a shapeshifter, but it’s sure nice to read and dream about.
Ya! I’ve always been a cautious with paranormals since some are good and some are bad (Twilight bad: True blood good), but these book sounds wonderful. The covers are also very seductive. I particularly want some Lyon. ^w^
I actually haven’t had the chance to read some new authors this year. This is one of the reasons i love finding this blog since i have some new ones to my list. I typically look for regency period settings when i start out with a new author though. I think that comes from the fact i started reading romance novels in that genre and i find it safe place to start.
I love historical fiction. It touches something deep inside, something familiar. At the same time it opens a vast new world to explore. Part of that world, for the more openminded, is the paranormal. I believe that the more receptive you are the more likely you are to have a paranormal experience.
Dark Hunger, Unbound, Believe in Me, The Beautiful Being, Full Moon, Love Bites (and more).
Jess Granger, Molly Harper and Lori Brighton are great debutantes!
I like historicals because they take you back to a time that I don’t know much about, different types of etiquette and manners, and clothing was outrageous LOL I love paranormals too, that is mostly what I have been reading for the last year. One new author that actually combined historical and paranormal that I enjoyed was Gail Carriger’s book Soulless. Great read.
The very first single title romances I read were by Kathleen Woodiwiss. The Flame and the Flower, The Wolf and the Dove. Loved them! I’ve always loved fantasy and sci-fi, but for a long time I stayed away from anything that even hinted at horror until a friend forced me to watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer and I got absolutely hooked. And de-sensitized.
But for those who haven’t tried paranormal romance, remember, these are romances first. No matter how scary they look, the heroes are still heroes — honorable, decent men. And the books are going to end with a happily ever after. (As long as you’re reading romance and not urban fantasy. There’s a difference.)
Just like in any romance genre, you can find light and dark. While many paranormals are dark and intense, others aren’t. Both Lynsay Sands and Kerrelyn Sparks write wonderful vampires with lots of humor.
Thanks, Melissa! The covers are pretty amazing, aren’t they? Avon’s art department is the best!
My first romance book was a Historical. I know there is Paranormal books everywhere now, and I enjoy them but in between them I always read a Historical. The first Paranormal Historical I read was Kiss of the Highlander by Karen Marie Moning and I was hooked. Bertrice Small’s Historicals are some of my favorites and she also writes a Paranormal series, The World of Hetar that is wonderful. Janet Chapman has a highlander/time travel series that is excellent too. Your Feral Warrior books Pam sounds just like the books I love to read.
I enjoy most romance genres!! My favorites are historicals and vampires. Since paranormals have gotten so popular, I have been reading more and I now look for them also. I think I enjoy historicals best because of enjoying history. The eras that most historicals are wrote about are so glamourous and treacherous. They intrigue me. I love the colors of the costumes they have on the covers.
I love historical romance. It totally transports you to a different time and place. Paranormal can do the same thing. Even if it is set in contemporary times it is our world, but different.
Please enter me in the contest. Thanks!
I enjoy reading both historicals and paranormals. I like that they take you away from the everyday things in life and completely take you somewhere different. It’s a nice chance to escape for a few hours a day. 🙂
The books featured look wonderful! I’d love the chance to win any of these!
Happy Halloween!!!
Wow! All these great giveaways. *grabs books and runs away*
I very much enjoy paranormal stories and some of my faves are Ward’s BDB, Ione’s Demonica Series, Kenyon’s Dark-Hunter series, and Cole’s Immortals After Dark series. I love the moodiness and grittiness of these books.
And Pamela, the Woodiwiss books you mentioned were the same ones that started me on my love of romance novels. They were great!
I am a fan of historicals and paranormals. I really enjoyed Mark of the Demon by Diana Rowland. Some of my favorite paranormal series are Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark Hunters, Nalini Singh’s Psy-Changeling, Keri Arthur’s Riley Jenson series, and Lynn Viehl’s Darkyn series. I love the covers to Pamela’s books. They sound great.
Hi, nice selection today!! I’ve read paranormal and historical, but seem to be more into rom susp right now. Falling In Love looks very good!! Thanks, Sue
I have always read historicals but lately I’ve just started reading paranormals and just love them. I want to be taken away to another world and both these genres do that. And I have to add you have some of the most gorgeous covers that I’ve seen. (and I too started out with the Kathleen Woodiwiss books).
I love reading paranormal romance stories and I’ve been hearing great things about Jamie’s series. Just discovered the Phy/Changeling series from Nalini this year (yeah, where have I been hiding?), love Eileen Wilks series about magic and shifters, and just got caught up with Jocelyn Drake’s series about vampires, warriors and magic.
Oh I love, love this post! Thanks Katiebabs! I definitely read contemporary paranormals. In fact, I probably read more of them than historicals now. I like a kick-butt heroine who isn’t constrained by the mores of her time. And I love vamps and weres and witches. I am less enamored of super futuristic stuff. But some of my all time favorite series are the historicals. And women like Claire, from Outlander, who retain their kick-butted-ness while living within the confines of their society. In the middle books, there is some excellent compare/contrast about life for women and minorities in 1700s Scotland and America vs. 1960s America. But sometimes it’s just so delicious to fall into all the pomp and circumstance of a great historical court romance.
Thanks so much for the giveaway!
I really enjoyed “Desire Untamed” and can’t wait to read the other books in the Feral Warriors series.
I’ve read and love all of the Breed Series by Lora Leigh. They aren’t over the top type PN novels, but normal looking guys trying to find a place in society where they fit in….only they are part human and part animal….And boy oh boy, when they find there mate and the mating heat hits….Wowza!!!
I haven’t read any books with vampires, yet. They always scared me as a child…but I’ve read some great reviews of those type of stories so I know I’ll be checking them out before long.
Great Giveaway this Week! It’s been fun reading the blog and all the comments.
Mitzi.
For me, I always fear that the ‘love story’ gets lost in all of the action. Then there was something about a shifter changing and me never knowing when that would happen (animal with humans is a disturbing thought). LOL. I read the Twilight series and started to skim once I felt their relationship was taking a back seat to everything else.
I’ve always loved historicals, but also have a love of fantasy and science fiction. So paranormals really fill that need – they can be set in any number of times, locations, and settings. I don’t read too many contemporary romances, but if it has paranormal elements, I’m there.
I think Jess Granger’s book sounds great, Molly Harper and Nicole Peeler are also authors I’m dying to read.
I’m drawn to historicals for because they take me away to a different time and place.
I have read a lot of contemporary paranormals.
Historicals give me a glimpse of another time/place. Many of the heros seem strong and hardworking (those brawny scottish men!) and while many elements of the women’s lives could have been mapped out for them, my favorite historical books have spunky heroines, who still kick butt (like Bella said in a previous comment).
I am a fan of paranormals – they take you away to another world too. Vampires are my favorites (Lara Adrian, JR Ward, Kathryn Smith, Jeanine Frost), but Shayla Black’s doomsday brethren and Larissa Ione’s books are great reads too.
My favorite genre is romantic suspense…and I like contemporaries too,so I guess I’m open to any well written story with a great romance in it!
The first romance I ever read was historical and it’s still a favorite genre of mine today. I love to read about those times that were so different than today. All of those balls, the manners, customs and the locations (places I’ll probably never travel to). Oh, and I am so fascinated with the medieval times, although I doubt I would have been happy living in those days.
I also read paranormals, romantic suspense and contemporaries. I tend to switch genres each time I start a new story to mix it up a bit.
would really love to read these!
LOVED the ‘Feral Warriors’ series.
My favorite – Lyon *sigh*
Love that alpha, lion-shifting man!
I mostly read paranormal romance,urban fantasy,I like the escapism.Kim HArrison,Kelley Armstrong,Rachel Vincnt are a few of my favorites.I recently started reading historical,I like them because it takes you back to a different time.Experience a different era.
What draw me to historicals? The settings, the dialogues and characters. And by reading historicals I can imagine how the unique world on the past era. I’ve been trying to own Pamela’s book. They are sounds great. And Knowing a new author is too great!
What draws me to historicals would first be the cover if I’m in a bookstore then of course the plot and the character’s names lol Names similar to people I know can be a positive or negative thing. Also I tend to look at reviews unless that particular author is already on my auto-buy list 🙂 As for contemporary paranormals, a few of my favorites are Kresley Cole, JR Ward, Gena Showalter and Nalini Singh.
I love historicals. Iget visit everywhere and never get jet lag. I also get to keep all my modern appliances. LOL I read paranormals both historical and contemporary.
Hi Pamela
I have all three of your releases I have read the first one and WOW it is awesome I loved it I just about read it in one sitting I couldn’t put it down and am very much looking forward to the next two Loved it.
I probably read more historical than any other genre and up until about 18 months ago that was all I would read then I was lucky enough to win a copy of Nalini Singh’s 1st book in the Psy Changleing series and loved it so I am converted and love paranormals as much as historicals. Kendra Leigh Castle has a great trilogy as well that I would recomend.
Thanks for the great post
Have Fun
Helen
I forgot to say thanks for the recomendations my must have list is growing I love It
Have Fun
Helen
Pamela,
I read historicals for much the same reasons you do. I like history, viewing different cultures, seeing how society functions, and seeing how a person’s position in those societies effects their lives. Women’s position in society, until recently, was less than good. As you said, they were basically powerless and at the mercy of the men. They were used, literally, for whatever was needed or wanted at the time. Yes we love those strong, stubborn, heroines, but I wonder how long they would have survived. Most likely they wold have been beaten into submission, thrown into a dungeon, tried as a witch, or worse.
I do read paranormals, but have not yet read any like yours. The closest, now that I think of it, are Karen Moning’s Highlander books. She has strong heroines, but they are up against individuals that have supernatural powers and it is no contest. I would love to win your trilogy. I’d like to explore this different world with these interesting different beings. I enjoyed your post and the descriptions of the books. Good luck with your series.
You made good points on what works in Historical but not in contemporary. The things you described are what draw me to historical and paranormal. The Hero gets be a villain along with being the hero. I really like that aspect. After reading what you said it got me to thinking. I really enjoy the Viking and Highlander heroes more often then not he kidnaps the heroine or he “keeps’ her. That would not work in present day as you said. The heroines are so vulnerable back that time, but going through what they do with the Hero they become stronger than they ever imagined. I got into paranormal last summer and I love reading it. There is all sorts of things that can happen. I love Gena Showater’s Lords of the Underworld series. Great Heroes in those books along with strong Heroines.
The paranormal romances look so good! So does the Romantic Kensington romance!
I’d love to win any of these great looking books!!
Sandra Lynne
I like reading historicals because I enjoy reading about how people lived in different time periods. Clothing, entertainment, jobs, hobbies and how they related to their families. I enjoy reading paranormal because it makes it seem like all things are possible. There is something extrordinary in every one that wouldn’t happen in a regular contemporary romance. I also read contemporary romance too for the relationships and the hopefully happily ever afters.
Pamela, you said “But in my romance reading? Sweep me away! I want bigger-than-life heroes and strong heroines made vulnerable by circumstances or society” and I completely agree, so would my mom and my sister- I’ll be the first to admit to reading because of it’s escapist nature. I’m really more of a fiction than non-fiction kind of girl 🙂
I’m not nit picky about historical accuracy in historicals though I do read them to get a feel for the times ‘then’ but when I’m in the mood for a hero in the ‘now’ that’s when I go to read a contemporary. It’s wonderful to imagine that maybe, just maybe they really do exist and I would for a paranormal hero to abduct me anytime 😛
As my daughters would say I’m the one who wears the pants in the family (the Mr would agree also lol) so reading about bigger-than-life heroes and strong heroines made vulnerable by circumstances or society is a nice change to reality. I agree that kidnappings wouldn’t go very well at all in real life!
Great discussion, ladies! I’m enjoying reading all your answers and comments and I’m delighted so many of you have already found that historical/paranormal link.
Soullumination, Helen, and Jane, I’m so glad you’re enjoying the Feral books!
Thanks for having me on The Season and Happy Halloween, everyone!
Pamela
Hi Pam,
Thanks for stopping by and thanks for the great post. Come back anytime and I hope you sell a gazillion books. 🙂
Bev
I absolutely love historicals. They take you to a different time period with different mores. I also love the way the places they take place in are explained down to a detail.
I have read several paranormals. I enjoyed them also.
I love historicals and now I will have to try a paranormal or two.