Selena Blake's Blog, page 20
September 16, 2014
What the heck is light paranormal romance?
So when I attended the Authors After Dark conference in August, I discussed what I write with a few different folks. It’s a topic that comes up frequently at events like these and in an effort to get to the point and save time I have a few standard, elevator pitch style answers prepared.
When I talk about the Mystic Isle series, I always refer to it as light paranormal romance.
And then I get blank stares.
No joke.
It’s like crickets. Maybe a few blinks. Perhaps a few ugh huhs. Sometimes people straight-up ask “what is light paranormal?”
So, if you’re wondering what the heck light paranormal is, have a seat and I’ll tell you.
To me, light paranormal (aka mild paranormal) is a paranormal romance that isn’t as dark and angsty as straight up paranormal or dark paranormal. There’s no war, no killing, not much fighting, there’s not a super villain hell bent on taking over the world. There might even be a more Chick Lit like feel to it. Or the stories might revolve around a larger cast of fun and flirty characters. In light paranormal, the world building is less intense, because it’s very contemporary feeling. In other words you’re not going to find a bunch of language and lingo that you’ve never heard of before. You won’t need a glossary to get through it.
To me, these are contemporary romance where the hero and heroine happen to be a werewolf or a vampire or some variation there of. There might even be some comedy in there. If you like contemporary romance but are not a fan of paranormal romance, light paranormal romance might be for you. The emphasis is on the romance, traditional contemporary romance elements and not a whole lot the darker, bite-y-er elements that paranormal is known for. A few examples of what light paranormal romance is NOT: Black Dagger Brotherhood, Dark Hunters or Immortals after Dark.
I’ve actually converted several contemporary romance readers with my light paranormal stories. Folks who’ve never read paranormal before can’t help but fall for Mystic Isle and all the romance that’s in the air.
With Mystic Isle in particular, I like to think of it as Sandals, but for paranormals. You know Sandals, right? Those beautiful all inclusive couples only resorts in the Caribbean? Toss in a few sexy vampires and studmuffin werewolves and you’ve got Mystic Isle.
Now over to you…
What other books do you consider light paranormal? Which other authors are writing light paranormal? Are you one of the light paranormal converts?
The post What the heck is light paranormal romance? appeared first on Selena Blake.
September 15, 2014
What I’m Working On: Go For It, Paranormal Romance & More
Last week was a combination of working on Bound to the Vampire (Book 5 in the Mystic Isle series.) I always worried about writing Valencia because she seems like such a silent character. But once I got in her head, she’s anything but. #Fun
I also listened to Go For It (Book 2 in the Girls’ Night Trilogy) on my kindle. It’s amazing how that helps me find little issues, typos, forgotten words and really see the story as a whole. If there’s interest I’ll discuss my writing/revision/editing process in a different post. But I really really love the way this story came together. Gretchen is a character that I’d love to have as a friend.
This week Go For It heads off to the editor’s. We’ve got a cover release planned on Thursday the 18th. I’ll also be announcing the release date then, so be sure to be here. And then there’s new writing of course. Bound to the Vampire, Beg for it (Baby and Joe’s book, Book 3 of Girls’ Night Trilogy) and perhaps a few words on the new series set in Vermont. Those stories have been percolating for two years now. It’s time to get the pixels on the screen!
So for those of you keeping track, that’s contemporary romance (full length novel… in fact, the longest novel I’ve ever written!) Followed by light paranormal romance (novel length just like Pursued by a Werewolf.) Another full length contemporary romance novel and the Vermont series (no series name yet) will be erotic romance novellas (around the length of Seduced by a Cajun Werewolf and Fangs, Fur & Mistletoe.) That’s a pretty good variety if I do say so. Who’s ready to meet their next book boyfriend?!
Now over to you…
What are you up to? Have a good weekend? Read anything fabulous? Any big plans for this week? It’s the last official week of Summer!
Don’t forget to sign up to my newsletter for release announcements (like the one I’m sending today!) And you can always find me on Twitter.
The post What I’m Working On: Go For It, Paranormal Romance & More appeared first on Selena Blake.
September 14, 2014
SSFI: Stormy Weather, Selena Blake, Seduced by a Werewolf
Hello and welcome to a new edition of Someone Searched For It Sunday.
First up: stormy weather author
That’s me, Selena Blake. Find out more about my bestselling paranormal romance series, Stormy Weather, here.
Next: Selena Blake
While I’m not Selena Gomez or Blake Lively, for some reason those two names seem to come up a lot and in the same posts. I’m not an actress, singer, or a documentary director (that’s the other Selena Blake.) I’m the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary and paranormal romance. Find out more about me here.
Finally: Selena Blake Seduced by a Cajun Werewolf PDF
You can get a copy of this erotic paranormal romance in PDF at either Smashwords or AllRomanceEbooks. Should you decide you want a different format, find all available purchase links here.
Someone searched for it terms are pulled from the search terms collected by Google Analytics that bring visitors to selena-blake.com.
The post SSFI: Stormy Weather, Selena Blake, Seduced by a Werewolf appeared first on Selena Blake.
September 12, 2014
Take a Hot Military Hero Home this Weekend
This week’s featured book is from my buddy up in New York, Cat Johnson. She’s such a doll and one heck of a writer. I’m rather partial to her cowboys. But guess what?! She writes hot military men too.
Exhibit A: SAVED BY A SEAL (Hot SEALs Book 2)
Zane Alexander was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, but the rebellious bad boy traded it, along with his share of the family fortune, for a Navy SEAL trident and freedom from his controlling father.
Ten years later, Zane’s teammates are depending on him to secure the startup capital they need to open their security company and he’s gambling on his skills at covert operations to get it. For a million dollars he’ll fake interest in Missy Greenwood, the Senator’s daughter his father wants him to date in exchange for the investment.
When Missy is kidnapped and Zane and his team are sent to Nigeria to rescue her, there’s no more faking when the danger and the emotions turn very real.
EXCERPT
Through the dark lenses of his sunglasses, Zane surveyed the passersby streaming past the outdoor café table where he sat.
The sidewalk was busy, since it was midday. The temperature was moderate for winter, and the sun was warm enough he’d chosen to sit outside to wait.
Would he recognize Missy? Maybe. Probably. He doubted she’d changed all that much in ten years except for the removal of the braces that had been on her teeth last he’d seen her.
He’d arrived early on purpose. He liked to get the lay of the land before going in. Dating was no different than a mission in that way. He leaned back in the café chair to wait, wondering if having coffee would count as a date in his father’s eyes.
If he didn’t get recalled, he should probably take her to dinner, just to be safe. A little insurance against any sneaky shit George might try.
Glancing at the screen of his cell on the table, he confirmed there were no messages. Not from Missy. Not from the guys either since he had already talked to Jon on the drive over to visit briefly with his mother.
Most importantly, there was no message from command. He might just get this required first date out of the way yet. If Missy wasn’t fashionably late, that was,
“Zane.” A voice behind him brought his attention around.
He turned to see her smiling and looking the same and yet very different. “Missy. Hello. It’s good to see you.”
Zane stood and reached out to take her hands in his while he leaned in to kiss her cheek. While doing so he didn’t miss the sophistication and maturity a decade had given her. She looked more like her mother than ever, with her large designer sunglasses and expensive cashmere coat.
But the light, cool breeze that turned her cheeks pink and rustled the blond waves brushing her shoulders made her look like the teenager he’d known from the past. So did the genuine warmth in her smile.
She squeezed his hands and Zane felt the chill in her fingers. “We can go inside to sit if you’d like. It’s too cool out here for you.”
“Actually, if you wouldn’t mind, could we get coffee to go?” she asked. “I kind of wanted to take a walk around the shopping center and see what’s here.”
Zane’s brows rose with surprise. This shopping center? The strip mall filled with discount shops? “Sure. We can definitely grab something to go, if you prefer.”
If Zane wasn’t very aware that just the clothes on Missy’s back cost as much as his military pay for a single pay cycle, Missy’s strange request to check out the stores in the strip mall would have him wondering if the Greenwoods were having money problems.
Then again, maybe Missy was more like him than he’d assumed. Maybe she’d traded her access to the family fortune in exchange for freedom too.
Either way, her request upped the interest factor on a date he’d assumed would bore him to death.
Get it now!
http://catjohnson.net/books-2/saved-by-a-seal-hot-seals-2/
The post Take a Hot Military Hero Home this Weekend appeared first on Selena Blake.
September 10, 2014
What I’m Reading: Before We Kiss by Susan Mallery
Here’s another contemporary romance.
Before We Kiss by Susan Mallery
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I wish I could give this one 3.5 stars. I really liked the heroine but again, as I said in my last review, I’m getting tired of the “I can never trust again” trope and so the hero wasn’t quite as much of a win for me.
I did love the set up though. And talk about a way to kill a one night stand! A room full of wedding dresses? Hilarious.
The thing that really bugged me about this book was the sister’s relationship. I’ve read that book. I liked it a whole lot. (4, maybe 4.5 stars a lot) Which makes the subplot in Before We Kiss such a let down. There was just too much of it to be enjoyable and I was left wanting to shake that character until her teeth rattled.
But as always, Susan Mallery delivers an enjoyable read and I can’t wait for Kenny’s book.
The post What I’m Reading: Before We Kiss by Susan Mallery appeared first on Selena Blake.
September 9, 2014
I’m so over it!
The “I can never trust again” trope in romance has been done, done, done. I’m getting pretty tired of it as I explained to friend Susan Meier the other day.
It doesn’t feel original anymore. In fact, it’s so overdone that I don’t find it believable. I can’t think of a single person I know who was hurt so badly that they’re not interested in a relationship or companionship. Even after nasty divorces.
Perhaps the people I know are more resilient than your average romance character? Or perhaps not.
So what sort of tropes, clichés, and story lines are you tired of reading about? And have you read something recently that took a tired old storyline and flipped it on its ear in an interesting way? Let’s hear it! I’m always on the look out for my next amazing read.
The post I’m so over it! appeared first on Selena Blake.
September 8, 2014
Three Reasons To Download Surprising Darcy
There are three very important readers to get your copy of Surprising Darcy right now.
1. It’s short and sexy so you can read it in one sitting.
2. Surgeons are sexy.
3. There are TWO surgeons in this book.
Get in now for only $0.99 or download it for free with your Kindle Unlimited Subscription.
Warning: Surprising Darcy is a delicious and erotic contemporary ménage short story featuring best friends turned lovers, one wild and wicked fantasy come to life and two gorgeous surgeons. Keep a glass of ice water handy and take notes for your next birthday party.
About |Read an excerpt
Two months ago Darcy Evans had a little too much to drink and during a night of hot sex, admitted one of her most secret fantasies… to have two men at once.
Today is her 29th birthday and her boyfriend Aiden Sinclair is ready to help her celebrate. In fact, he has a surprise in store that will make her fantasy a reality.
The post Three Reasons To Download Surprising Darcy appeared first on Selena Blake.
What I’m Working On: BTTV, Website Updates and a New Series
I’m still working on Bound to the Vampire (Valencia’s Book, Mystic Isle, light paranormal romance.) Things are really heating up. I love stories that burn with sexual tension, don’t you? True to Mystic Isle style, all the other characters are making cameos (including Charles Latham!)
I’m also working on a few more updates to the new (and much improved, according to fans) website. The Home page has a bit of new content at the bottom, perfect for brand new Wolfpackers! You can now go straight to twitter or facebook from any Book Page and chat about that title. If you’re new around these parts, stop by the newly updated Members page to learn how to become an Official Wolfpack Member.
I’m also working on a new contemporary romance series. This one takes place in one of my favorite states and is based on one of my very favorite cities, Burlington, Vermont. Just a warning though, I’m turning up the steam. Oh, and I’m following Oscar de la Renta’s advice: walk like three men are following you. That’s your clue. *wink*
In addition to all that, this week I’m taking one final look at Go For It (second in the Girls’ Night Trilogy. These are full length contemporary romance novels, for the new Wolfpackers just joining us. Fans of the series: this is Gretchen & Greg’s book.) Then it’s off to the editor. Don’t forget the cover release party will be September 18th.
I’ve also started on the final book in the Girls’ Night Trilogy. This is Baby and Joe’s story and oh.my.gosh…. SPARKS! Go ahead and order some fireproof panties, girls.
Now over to you…
What are you working on this week? Any big projects? Reading a new book? Have your kids gone back to school? Are you decorating for autumn yet?
The post What I’m Working On: BTTV, Website Updates and a New Series appeared first on Selena Blake.
September 7, 2014
SSFI: Captive, HP Mallory, Paranormal Erotic Short Stories
Hello and welcome to a new edition of Someone Searched For It Sunday.
First up: books similar to HP Mallory
You’d have to ask my readers on this one. Are we similar?
Next: captive book romance excerpt
I do have an excerpt from my paranormal romance, The Cajun’s Captive. Read it (and more about the rest of the series) here.
Finally: list of paranormal erotic short stories
You’re in luck. I do have several short erotic paranormal romances. For starters, see The Cajun’s Captive and Bitten In the Bayou. If you want something in the novella range, see the first two books in my Mystic Isle series.
Someone searched for it terms are pulled from the search terms collected by Google Analytics that bring visitors to selena-blake.com.
The post SSFI: Captive, HP Mallory, Paranormal Erotic Short Stories appeared first on Selena Blake.
September 6, 2014
Who’s ready for the Voice, Season 7?
Besides me of course!
What do you think of the new judges?
I’ve been a fan of Stefani for years. Girl’s got style!
And Pharrell, I adore the song Happy. It just makes me wiggle.
Check out the cheeky teaser for this season.
The post Who’s ready for the Voice, Season 7? appeared first on Selena Blake.
