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…