Blog Tour Guest Blog and Giveaway: West of Want by Laura Kaye
Favorite Things about Writing Paranormal Romance
I’m thrilled to be back at Paperback Dolls today to celebrate the recent release of my Greek-mythology-based romance, West of Want, the second book in my Hearts of the Anemoi series. My first love as a reader has always been paranormal romance, which makes it so much fun to write now. I grew up on Stephen King and Anne Rice, and some of my current favorite paranormal authors include Sherrilyn Kenyon and J.R. Ward. So today, I thought I’d share some of my favorite things about writing paranormal romance:
Anything goes. One important reason I love writing paranormal romance is because, really, you can run with whatever your imagination creates—as long as you justify it within the paranormal world you’re building. So you can create cool, unique mythologies, rules, and powers. You can run with a known supernatural creature or create an entirely new creature. You can offer a twist on popular creatures like vampires or werewolves to make them all your own. And this is true in playing with Greek mythology in this series—I can take all the drama, and feuds, and power plays in the mythology of the Anemoi and build a world on them. Anything can go in a paranormal romance, and that makes it both challenging and really, really fun to write.
Cool powers. If I’m going to read paranormal romance, I want the awesome supernatural powers that go with it! Mind reading, telekinesis, time and space travel, prophecy, super speed or strength or hearing, and more. I want to imagine what it would be like to possess those powers. And what it would be like to see them in action. The Anemoi can shift between elemental and human forms, travel between earth and the Realm of the Gods, control the wind, weather and nature of the seasons, and even more. All this is the stuff that makes paranormal especially exciting to write!
The danger element. Imagine being around a creature with all those powers, a creature who thought itself superior to you because of them, or a creature whose basic subsistence needs placed your very life in danger. This danger element is part of what makes these characters so attractive and appealing. It’s like being attracted to a bad boy, to the 100th power! Plus, if you get two supernatural characters in a feud with one another, the humans they love are bound to get caught in the middle—and that makes for great conflict to write and to read!
The moment of discovery. This might be my favorite part of writing paranormal romance, not to mention reading it. I love watching a character notice something’s not right with this other person. I love seeing them grapple with these oddities, explain them away, or begin to question them. And that tension, that mystery, builds and builds until the moment of discovery and revelation when the human realizes this person they’re growing to love isn’t a person at all. And then how will they react? Will they accept? Reject? Deny? I think this moment is particularly powerful and entertaining because you can imagine yourself into that same situation and wonder how you’d respond, and that’s a ton of fun to write.
So, now that you’ve heard me talk about why I enjoy writing paranormal romance, how about a little taste of my most recent one, West of Want:
“Ella,” he groaned and traced the shell of her ear with his tongue. “What do you want? This time, you tell me. I don’t want to make any mistakes here, and I”—he swallowed thickly—“I can’t…I have to…”
She whimpered. Heart, body and mind aligned, she didn’t need to think about it. “In me. Need you in me.”
His weight disappeared. Then so did she. For a split-second, her physical self seemed to vanish. And then they were on the bed in her room.
Dazed and awed, she laughed. “What just happened?”
Heavy-lidded eyes traced over her face. “I don’t have the patience to act human right now.”
“Mmm, I kinda like the sound of that.”
“Gods, woman, you are driving me crazy.” He sat up, straddling her thighs, and helped her remove her shirt. That flaring light returned in his gaze, and she swore she could feel it drag over her breasts. She bared them to his observation, and he caressed them with light fingertips that made her shiver. “Such exquisite perfection.”
Her breaths coming in faster, shallower draws, she grabbed the hem of his damp shirt. “So, you can move us with your mind, but can’t remove our clothes? Not an all-powerful god, then?”
Biting the inside of her lip to restrain the threatening smile, she looked up at him with what she hoped was innocence.
He blinked once and the cotton disappeared from her fingers. “Are you questioning my godhood?”
Mouth gaping, Ella dragged her gaze down Zeph’s completely naked body. She couldn’t restrain her huge grin. “Not…um, not anymore.”
Thank you so much for reading! How about a GIVEAWAY?!: Share what you most enjoy reading about paranormal romance, or a favorite line from the excerpt, and enter to win a paperback copy of West of Want! Must leave email address to be eligible. Open to international! Good luck!
Don’t miss the (thru 8/24) giveaway events, too!
Voted Breakout Author of the Year in the 2011 GraveTells Readers’ Choice Awards, Laura is the bestselling and award-winning author of over a half-dozen books in paranormal, contemporary and erotic romance. Hearts in Darkness is the EPIC eBook Award Winner for Best Novella and HOLT Medallion Award of Merit Winner for Best Romance Novella, Forever Freed is the NJRW Golden Leaf Winner for Best Paranormal of 2011 and is a finalist for two GDRWA Booksellers’ Best Awards, and North of Need, the first book in the Hearts of the Anemoi series, is a finalist for a FF&P PRISM award, was named GraveTells’ Best Book of 2011 and won their 5-STAR Gold Heart Award, and won Sizzling Hot Read of the Year at Sizzling Hot Books. Laura lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.
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Hearts of the Anemoi, Book Two
Releasing Soon from Entangled Publishing
Betrayal is all he’s ever known, but in her, he’ll find a love strong enough to be trusted…
When Marcella Raines’ twin brother dies, she honors his request to be buried at sea, never expecting the violent storm that swamps her boat. Though she’s gravely injured–and still emotionally damaged from her recent divorce–Ella fights to survive.
Zephyros Martius is the Supreme God of the West Wind and Spring, but being the strongest Anemoi hasn’t protected him from betrayal and loss. Worse, he’s sure his brother Eurus is behind it. When Zeph’s heartbreak whips up a storm that shipwrecks a human, his guilt forces him to save her.
Ella is drawn to the vulnerability Zeph hides beneath his otherworldly masculinity and ancient blue eyes. And her honesty, empathy, and unique, calming influence leave Zeph wanting…everything. When Eurus threatens Ella, she and Zeph struggle to let go of the past, defend their future, and embrace what they most want–a love that can be trusted.
Giveaway provided by Laura Kaye. By entering this giveaway, you are agreeing to the rules set by our Giveaway Policy. Ends 08/04 INTERNATIONAL.
I love that excerpt. It is so much fun when a human teases their paranormal love. Looking forward to reading Zeph’s & Ella’s story
Wolphcall(at)bellsouth(dot)net
LOL! Yes, I like that too! Thanks so much Lisa! And thanks for kicking off the comments!
I love paranormal romance because it keeps me in suspense of what’s going on, about love or what’s happening in the book’s world. I always get surprised with this genre. The excerpt was amazing!
This is my favorite line from it! “So, you can move us with your mind, but can’t remove our clothes? Not an all-powerful god, then?”
LOL
Thanks for the giveaway! ~fingers crossed~
Yay! So glad you liked that line! :) And, yes, I totally agree with your thoughts there! Thanks Liss!
Hi Laura – You had to know I’d pick these lines ;) – He blinked once and the cotton disappeared from her fingers. “Are you questioning my godhood?”
Mouth gaping, Ella dragged her gaze down Zeph’s completely naked body. She couldn’t restrain her huge grin. “Not…um, not anymore.”
I love all kinds of things about paranormal romance but I especially love the interaction between to hero/heroine as they learn about each other. The guys are always so clueless – it’s great.
Thank you.
vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com
LOL Yes, yes, they are! Glad you liked that line! Thanks Viki!
Love the excerpt and giveaway, =) looking forward to reading this.
best wishes, Linda
Awesome! Thanks Linda!
I enjoy visiting the other worlds that exist in paranormal stories. It is amazing what worlds authors can create.
I so agree, Maureen!
What grabs me is the twist of something you don’t see every day. Anything paranormal, or even unexplainable completely appeals to me :)
Jess @ Taking It One book
Takingitonebookatatime(at)yahoo(dot)com
I love that! I really enjoy reading about the unexplainable too–great way of putting it!
Thanks for a great post and giveaway! I’m a big, big fan of Laura’s and I desperately want to read this latest book ;)
I think that my fav line from the excerpt was “He blinked once and the cotton disappeared from her fingers. “Are you questioning my godhood?”
Mouth gaping, Ella dragged her gaze down Zeph’s completely naked body. She couldn’t restrain her huge grin. “Not…um, not anymore.” ”
Have a wonderful day!
efender1(at)gmail(dot)com
:D Thanks so much Erin! Glad you enjoyed that! ;)
What I really like about paranormal romance is the world-building within the novel. Books with good world-building makes really good escapism!
As for favourite line in the excerpt, it would definitely be: “He blinked once and the cotton disappeared from her fingers. “Are you questioning my godhood?”
chibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com
Yes, I enjoy that, too! I always marvel at what people create! And love that you chose that line!
“Are you questioning my godhood?”
Mouth gaping, Ella dragged her gaze down Zeph’s completely naked body
This was my favorite line! I love to read paranormal romance because it lets me slip into an alternate world where anything can happen. Thanks so much for the chance in your drawing, Carin
mawmom(at)gmail(dot)com
Yes, me too! And woot! Another pick for the godhood line! ;)
I love Paranormal romance/ fantasy because it opens up new worlds you wouldn’t even think of, different creatures or the same with an authors own spin on them that create characters you’ll fall in love with shout at and cry for…characters you really wish were not fiction :D lol You can escape or get lost in – if just for a short while – to these worlds, be a part of or follow everything that goes on there (until somehow hours have passed, your day has gone and you are thrown back to reality and want more :D )
I have to agree with some of the others comments the line “Are you questioning my godhood?” is the best! i love it :) Can’t wait to read West of Want I loved North of Need but from the line above i think i might love this more thank you Laura for creating these brilliant characters and from these books creating an interest in Greek Mythology :) Thanks for the giveaway *fingers crossed*
Paranormal romance is an especially good escape, isn’t it? Thanks so much, Amiee! And I’m glad you loved North of Need!
I love just getting away from real life when I read paranormals…there are very few things in a paranormal that could actually happend in real life.
Hmm…or so you think… ;)
Such good snippets we get when checking out our favorite blogs.
:D Thanks Diane!
I loved the following:
He blinked once and the cotton disappeared from her fingers. “Are you questioning my godhood?”
Mouth gaping, Ella dragged her gaze down Zeph’s completely naked body. She couldn’t restrain her huge grin. “Not…um, not anymore.”
I guess what I love the most about paranormal stories is how each book/series can be so different. Authors can choose what characters to use, build the world they want, and choose what “rules” to follow or ignore. There is no limit, nothing is impossible.
Yes, June, I so agree! And love that you picked those lines!
There’s a sexy cover ;)
I haven’t read your book. But look forward to read one.
Reason? There’s many good recommendation of your books. ;)
Isn’t it a great cover?! Love my cover artist! And thanks for your kind words! :D
hi laura! this is my fave line from the excerpt: “I don’t have the patience to act human right now.” *oh.. zeph..*
*grins* I rather like than one, too! :)
I LOVE paranormal romance because it has so many aspects that are out of this world. It helps me to explore the world from the comfort of my own room. I also love the differences in the characters, the fact that they are paranormal creatures makes the stories all the more interesting. :D
My Favorite line was
“So, you can move us with your mind, but can’t remove our clothes? Not an all-powerful god, then?”
hahahaha that is great!
Alicia J.
orangepeacock313(AT)gmail(dot)com
Yay! Love your pick and your reasoning! Woot!
Hi, Laura,
Great excerpt – another hot book coming! Yay!!
Lots of great lines :D My favorite, though, is:
He blinked once and the cotton disappeared from her fingers. “Are you questioning my godhood?”
Mouth gaping, Ella dragged her gaze down Zeph’s completely naked body. She couldn’t restrain her huge grin. “Not…um, not anymore.”
Got to love it!
LOL! Yay! Glad you enjoyed! :)
I love taht anything goes that in one world what wouldnt be normal in this one fits perfectly in the paranormal world
nad its morel ike a fav few sentences that go together cnat just pick full line fav is when zeph goes “Are you questioning my godhood?”
Mouth gaping, Ella dragged her gaze down Zeph’s completely naked body. She couldn’t restrain her huge grin. “Not…um, not anymore.”
thats great!
mortalsinn(AT)yahoo.com
SiNn – awesome! Glad you enjoyed that! :)
This is all fabulous thank you.
I love the line:
“I don’t have the patience to act human right now.”
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Yay! That’s a favorite of mine, too! Thanks Mary!
Looking forward to reading this.. Sounds great
Awesome! Thanks Alison!
“Gods, woman, you are driving me crazy.” No matter if you are a human, a saint, a god, a shape-shifters, women have that power ;)
My favorite lines were “Are you questioning my godhood?” and she replied “No…um, not anymore.” The sound like great characters. I love mythology stories so I can’t wait to read this one.