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 |  It's about adventure! Life, Scouting, Family, writing what else is there? |
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WELCOME TO: GEMINI RISING   UPDATED INTRO 25 OCT 2021: Just a little about me. I've been married for 30 years in NOV this year!! and currently live in Southern California, but I grew up in New Hampshire. I've got 2 boys in their teens. I work as a 911 dispatcher for LAPD. I enjoy my job a lot. I love to write, but since I've been so involved with the Boy Scouts program since 2015 (now Scouts BSA since girls were invited to come on board) I haven't written much. I hope to get back to more writing soon, as I'm scaling back my BSA commitment. Update on this: I was able to get out 2 stories that were previously published. The update/publishing is going slow. I like to get out in nature, take walks around Castaic Lake, drink coffee and watch football. Here's a little bi about my zodiac. GEMINI: Gemini, the sign of the Twins, is dual-natured, elusive, complex and contradictory. On the one hand it produces the virtue of versatility, and on the other the vices of two-facedness and flightiness. The sign is linked with Mercury, the planet of childhood and youth, and its subjects tend to have the graces and faults of the young. When they are good, they are very attractive; when they are bad they are more the worse for being the charmers they are. Like children they are lively, and happy, if circumstances are right for them, or egocentric, imaginative and restless. Their good qualities are attractive and come easily to them. They are affectionate, courteous, kind, generous, and thoughtful towards the poor and suffering - provided none of the activities resulting from expressing these traits interferes too greatly with their own lives and comforts. Geminians can be successful in many walks of life though their general characteristics tend to make them unreliable. They are often skilled manipulators of language, in speech and writing, and may be: debaters, diplomats (though in politics they are more interested in theory than practice), orators, preachers (brilliant rather than profound), teachers, authors, poets, journalists, or lawyers. This is me. I am a Gemini. Pure, Raw, passionate. The NEW focus of this blog is to share my adventures, book reviews, thoughts, opinions, and writing adventures from actual writing, writing/editing tips, marketing, research. I'll get there.  Find me at: WEBSITE: http://www.stephanieburkhart.com FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/StephanieBurkhartAuthor GOOD READS: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4031660.Stephanie_Burkhart YOU TUBE CHANNEL: http://www.youtube.com/user/botrina?feature=mhee Previous GRATITIOUS Warning, that I decided to keep in case I post about something that might offend.  WARNING I intend to be open, honest, and forthright. No topic is off limits from religion to you name it, I'm going there. If you think you might be offended...back up now - this blog isn't for you. For those who "dare"  check out the "Gemini Rising..." |
| Prior to the Renaissance, the courtesan did not have such a romantic reputation. The word had very simple origins – a woman who attends the court of a monarch. In the feudal society, the court of the monarch mixed the political and social life of the monarch and government. It was a courtesan's job to deliver information to visiting dignitaries. During renaissance Europe, royal couples began leading separate lives. They married to secure bloodlines and for political gain – rarely did the couple love each other. The courtesan, with their easy wit, common sense, and companionship skills, offered something the "other" woman did not – genuine concern and care which often led to love. EXPECTATIONS It was often expected the courtesan would offer their benefactor sex. Courtesans might come from wealthy or non-wealthy backgrounds. They might be married even. In those cases, their husbands usually knew of the arrangements and approved; money being the mitigating factor involved. For many women, they saw their life as a courtesan as a job, and it was primarily expected of them that they would be the consummate companion. Truly, the courtesan could be the force behind the man. Many lasted for as long as they proved witty and charming companions and good in bed. They've been romanticized throughout the years with much literature being written about them. What makes the courtesan a romantic historical figure is something we can all identify with – love. After all, it's very easy to fall in love with a warm hearted companion who is witty and charming, well educated, and talented in the finer arts. One such story which I found interesting is that of Prince Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau. (That's a mouthful.) He built Altenau Palace in 1606 as a token of love for his favored courtesan. Salome Alt bore him fifteen children. Sadly, in 1612, he was forced to abdicate. Altenau Palace was renamed Mirabell Gardens. The Mirabell Garden and its beauty were prominently featured in the movie "The Sound of Music." Leave a comment and one lucky poster will win a PDF copy of my free read, Moonlight Sonata. Winner annouced here tomorrow on my blog so make sure you leave a good email. Smiles Steph |
| "The Hungarian," Book 1 in the Budapest Moon Series was inspired by my short story, "The Wolf's Kiss." Taking a dose of Victoria Holt, I infused her influence into the setting and the hero. "Matthias Duma" lives in a dark styled manor in Budapest overlooking the Danube. His young daughter, Emily, needs a governess so he sends to England for one. When Katherine Archibald arrives, Matthias can't help his attraction to her. Unfortunately, he has a secret – he's a werewolf. Dare he court the beautiful governess who makes him believe in love again? "The Wolf's Kiss" was an Honorable Mention Winner in the 2008 Writer's Digest Popular Fiction Contest. The narration was daring, switching between first person with Matthias and Katherine. Why did I pick Budapest? In 1997, I visited the city on an USO tour and fell in love with it. The city captured an atmosphere of old world charm for me with its quaint buildings, majestic bridges, and haunting castles. Not only that, I'd like to think that Budapest is a place where you might believe that supernatural creatures like werewolves and witches exist. My stories in the Budapest Moon series focus on the humanity of the man who is a wolf, and I enjoy exploring this aspect of characterization in the following books. After receiving my honorable mention, I wrote a full-length novel in the first person from Katherine's perspective. Gail Delaney, editor-in-chief at Desert Breeze, expressed interest in it, but wanted it in the 3rd person. I rewrote the novel and "The Hungarian" (mind you, it has a different plot from "The Wolf's Kiss") found a home with Desert Breeze Publishing. Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZwaF8hAdow REVIEWS: 5 Stars, Diane Craver, author of "Whitney in Charge" THE HUNGARIAN is an exciting story of love and hope. 5 Stars, Maggie Young, reader, Amazon Review This is a must-read for anyone who loves a good love-story with a twist. You won't be disappointed. 5 Cups, Happily Ever After Reviews This is an excellent book and I think fans of both the paranormal and historical romances will really, really enjoy it." Amazon Buy Link: http://www.amazon.com/Budapest-Moon-Book-One-ebook/dp/B003K15NG2/ref=sr_1_1?s=di... Barnes & Noble Buy Link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/budapest-moon-book-one-stephanie-burkhart/102978... All Romance Ebooks: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-budapestmoonbookonethehungarian-427260-1... Excerpt: The door squeaked open and Katherine peeked over the top of her book. A tall, muscular man walked in wearing a white button-down shirt and holding his blazer. He paused, as if surprised to find her, and then walked toward the window, his stride easy. He moved with wolf-like prowess, his long legs taking cool, calculated steps as his unusual eyes surveyed her. Katherine bit the inside of her lip, returning his measured perusal with one of her own. His silence was unnerving, yet intriguing. His eyes drew her to him -- malachite green with a gold ring around the iris. Dynamic. Expressive. Even now, as he looked at her, they softened and grew translucent. He stopped in front of the window and casually threw his blazer onto a nearby chair as if he owned the room. "Hello," he said. "Hello." "You're staring." "I am? I thought you were staring at me." He chuckled. "Perhaps I was admiring you." "Me?" "Who else is here?" Katherine pursed her lips as her insides warmed from the deep silkiness of his voice. He smiled and walked to her chair, slowly gliding around it, tracing his finger over the leather headrest, skirting her curly hair. "What's your name?" he asked. "And who is inquiring?" She tried to sound cool and composed, but she had to fight the nervous temptation to play with her hands. "Romeo, perhaps?" "Then my name is Juliet." A teasing smile graced his lips as he walked out from behind her chair and glanced at a bookshelf before turning to look at her again. "Would you fall for Tristan?" "Only if my name were Isolde." He walked over to a wooden table near the window and ran his long finger over a clay mock-up of Excalibur lodged in a stone. "What do you think of Arthur? Do you think it suits me?" "Only Guinevere would believe your name was Arthur." He crossed his arms, his eyes sparkling in the sunlight. "Would you believe my name was Matthias?" "I might, if--" "If what?" "If I knew more about you." Find me at: Website: http://www.stephanieburkhart.com Twitter: http://twitter.com/StephBurkhart Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephanie-Burkhart-Author/149938795021166 You can find The Wolf's Kiss in my port at:
The Hungarian's folder:
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| I love books. As a young girl in the 1970's, I loved going to the city library. They had a wonderful selection of books from dinosaurs to the Hardy Boys. In the 1980's as a teenager and young adult, I grew to love spending time in a bookstore. There's nothing like the feel and scent of a new book. So it's with a heavy heart I say goodbye to Borders. Borders was the #3 bookseller for books in the US, but it was losing money long before it declared bankruptcy. In my opinion, Borders failed because it didn't keep up with the times. While I think publishing models are currently in flux (with ebook and self-publishing taking off as viable publishing options) clinging to a traditional publishing model now will make it hard for authors and those houses to survive. You've got to change with the times. In the 1990's bookstores consolidated and added "ambience" to their appeal. They offered DVDs, CDs and in house coffee shops along with a spot to plug in your laptop. In the 2000's, technology took off. Amazon became a successful online retailer by offering a wide variety of products. With the introduction of Amazon's Kindle, ebook readers made ebooks fun to read. Borders didn't jump on the ebook bandwagon soon enough. According to stats, print sales are dropping and ebook sales continually show high returns; the most popular genres being romance and mainstream. What I'll miss is the ambience of hanging out with my friends and I'll miss the scent of new books. What will you miss about Borders? |
| Alice from my latest release, Victorian Scoundrel, is visiting Sue Perkin's blog today. Pop on over and say "hi." Here's a link:http://sueperkinsauthor.blogspot.com/ Smiles Steph |
| The first in a series of shows from the 70's, 80's, & 90's Retro Series. The other day while I was at the gym on the treadmill, I had a chance to watch the pilot episode of the 2007 launch of the Bionic Woman. I wanted to see it for a while because I remember watching the original as a little girl and loving it. I have to admit, I liked the 2007 episode. I downloaded an episode of the original Bionic Woman with Lindsay Wagner, "Welcome Home, Lindsay, part one," to refresh my memory and several things struck me, so much so, I was inspired to write down some of my thoughts after doing a little bit of research about the series. When I was a girl in the 1970's growing up, I remembered that I loved the show because I loved the science of the bionics and I thought Jaime Sommers was really cool. Now, 35 years later, I know why she was really cool. Lindsay Wagner's "Bionic Woman," was a totally character-driven series. The 2007 series with Michelle Ryan in the title role was a plot-driven series. The original Bionic Woman ran from 1976-78, spending the first 2 years on ABC and then the last year on NBC. In fact, Lindsay Wagner won an Emmy for the role. Aside from capturing the look and feel of the 1970's, the show was very character-driven. "Welcome Home, Jamie, Part one," reflected a lot Jaime's feelings and was centered around her establishing a new life for herself. We see her getting a job, cleaning house, and searching for memories. Quite honestly, it's got the making of good storytelling by weaving in action naturally, not gratuitously. I got a kick out of where Jaime decided to live – Ojai, CA. It's right in my backyard, down CA route 126. It's still a very rural area. It's also in Hollywood's backyard. The 2007 series was produced by David Eick, who, at the time, was doing the remake to Battlestar Galactica, which I enjoyed a lot. Now, 30 years later, the Galactica series had a whole new look and feel to it, as did the new Bionic Woman. I found Michelle Ryan to be "likeable" enough as Jaime Sommers and I liked the more modern up to date plot as well as the feel of the show, and I'm a sucker for good science fiction. I thought the bionics had caught up to the times, however the 2007 show was definitely plot driven and not character driven. Jaime did not little reflection on her feelings and was constantly in motion. If anything, that's where the show failed. After 7 episodes, the writer's strike hit and the show fell victim to that. It was not produced after that, but those 7 episodes were plot driven. If you can't hook your audience on the characters, all the action in the world won't save it. A plot driven story moves at a faster pace and the action is more gratuitous and in your face, but if all you have to care about is the plot, and not the characters, then you aren't going to make much of an impression. A character driven story moves at a slower pace and the action develops naturally. The audience gets a sense of character – how good (or bad) they are. They see layers – what makes them tick. The highlight of the story is to place the character in a situation outside of their comfort zone to see how they react. In today's instant gratification world, plot driven series rule, but it's character driven stories that resonates. It's why Lindsay Wagner will always be the only Bionic Woman in the hearts of many. |
| First off, forgive my hiatus during the month of May. I was a busy little bee promoting my latest release, "The Wolf's Torment," and writing furiously to meet my deadline for "Danube In Candlelight." I've got a busy summer planned – more writing, and a vacation that's not really a vacation with the boys, but my lighthouse series is back. It's going to be a fun and busy summer! I thought I'd take a peek at a lighthouse a little closer to my house – The Long Beach Lighthouse. Heck, I thought since the boat to Catalina Island leaves out of this harbor, I pass the lighthouse all the time. Shame on me! When I started doing my research and saw a picture of the actual lighthouse, my mouth dropped to the floor. That ugly thing was the lighthouse? Indeed, the Long Beach lighthouse has the distinction of being the ugliest lighthouse in California. Previous to 1949, there was a skeleton tower. In 1949, a 3 story, monolithic structure was made out of concrete and sits on 6 columns. Practically, it was built to withstand tidal waves and earthquakes, but it's not very pretty. The lighthouse is known as a "robot light" because it's completely automated and remotely controlled. It's cool, modern, but aesthetically not "hip." The good news – there are two fake, yet attractive lighthouses in the harbor. Heck, I was fooled! |
| My latest release is "The Wolf's Torment," a paranormal romance set in the 1860's in the Romanian principality of Moldavia. It has witches, werewolves, and a couple of other creatures of the night. Crown Prince Mihai Sigmaringen is a witch. Can he save his family from a deadly werewolf? As a young girl growing up on the gothic romances of Victoria Holt, I had a natural predisposition toward the unknown – the supernatural. I loved Holt's spooky mansions, secrets, and dark, haunting ambience. But most gothic events have their unexplainable events rooted in a natural cause. With a paranormal romance, the unexplainable has a very unnatural cause. That's one of the attractions to me – to explore the unexplainable. There are witches, werewolves, vampires, etc., all fantastical creatures, but it’s the traits and qualities which makes these creatures "human" that I like to explore. In "The Wolf's Torment," my hero, Mihai Sigmaringen, has to come to terms with being a witch. He has to accept who he is – a very human concept many can identify with. A werewolf bites Mihai's best friend, Viktor Bacau. Viktor is a good, honest man now driven by demons that threaten to destroy his world. While Viktor's demon is quite literal – a wolf – most can equate that with more modern demons. For example, drugs. Viktor's demon is an inner one. Drugs, also is similar. Both are gradual, but over time, marked. Mihai and Viktor are best friends, but do their inner torments drive them apart or does their humanity solidify their bond? Next to Mihai's story, Viktor's story and his struggle with his feral nature will resonate with readers. Paul Walker, inspiration for the character of "Viktor." Enjoy this excerpt: Viktor led his horse into the stables, glad to be done with his trip to Mulfaltar. A stable boy took the animal's reins, and Viktor made his way toward the closest entrance. He felt sated in an odd way. Sated, yet the goose bumps pricked his arms. He inhaled deeply, finding comfort in the familiar salty scent of the Black Sea. This was his home, and more than anything, he would fight for it -- and his wife. He was a man, not a beast, and determined to show an iron will when it came to his control over his feral nature. Viktor glanced toward the shore. Only one royal yacht was moored. Mihai must be on his honeymoon. There was work to be done, and the sooner Viktor got involved, the better. He walked into the rear entrance and into the kitchen. Miss Pompeli hovered over the stove stirring a stockpot. "Lord Bacau! What a pleasant surprise." He smiled. "It smells wonderful. What are you cooking?" "A simple chicken stew. It seems to help the king." "How is my wife?" "She's havin' a good day, my Lord." "And the king?" "He's been coughin' up blood again, but he won't take the laudanum. Says he wants his wits about him for the railroad business." Viktor hesitated. He wanted to bathe, but perhaps he should check on the king first. "Thank you, Daciana. I look forward to dinner." She nodded. Viktor departed and made his way toward the king's study. He heard Sonia's father coughing just as he got to the door and Viktor paused, drawing in a deep breath. The king reminded him of his own father, gracious and accommodating. He treated Viktor as if Viktor were his own son and had wholeheartedly approved of his marriage to Sonia. Viktor was resolved not to let the king down. He knocked on the door. "Enter." Viktor walked in. The king stood in front of a map, his arms crossed. He smiled when he saw Viktor. "It's good to have you back, Son." "It's good to be back." "How is your family?" "Well." Viktor hated lying to the king. He couldn't be told the truth of Viktor's condition, so he had been told that Viktor went to visit his family in the Ukraine. "What are you looking at?" asked Viktor. "This is a proposed route of the railroad. There is a matter of a small hill. They can set the track around the hill or blast through it. By going around the hill, it will add fifteen minutes to the travel time. To blast and clear the hill puts the project's finish in October." "Is October feasible?" "It will be close. The ground starts to frost over toward the end of the month." Viktor rubbed his chin with a finger. He liked the idea of blasting and clearing the hill for the quicker route. "Well, what say you?" asked the king. "Go through the hill." The king chuckled. "Yes, that's what I was thinking as well -- but it will be up to you and Mihai to see to it the work is done in time." Viktor arched an eyebrow. "Oh?" "It won't be much longer, Son. I have weeks to live, if that." Viktor swallowed, tucking his hands under his armpits. Everyone respected the king, despite his gruff ways. He'd done much good for the principality, his main accomplishment being the construction of the docks in Constanta, making the city a viable seaport and bringing more trade to the Romanian principalities. "Son, I think you're going to miss me." "Yes. So will Sonia and Mihai." The king gestured toward his drinking cabinet. Viktor accompanied him and the king poured them each some brandy. "I've got regrets, Boy." The king paused, then sat down in the chair across from the sofa. Viktor sat on the sofa. "I loved my wife and when I see Sonia look at you, I know she's found that same feeling." Again, the king the paused and drew in a breath that rattled his lungs. "Don't be foolish with my daughter's heart." Visit the Book Trailer on You Tube and give it a 'like' at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzHE2spBeeU The Wolf's Torment is available as an ebook only on Kindle, Nook, Kobo, and Sony Ereader. Formats include: PDF, html, and epub which can be found on the Publisher's Website at: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-163/Stephanie-Burkhart-Moldavian... About the Author: Stephanie Burkhart is a 911 dispatcher for LAPD. She also served as an MP in the US Army. Multi-published, she has a children's book, "The Giving Meadow" with 4RV Publishing. She's an avid reader , loves coffee in the morning, and her favorite movie "werewolf" is David Thewlis, Lupin from Harry Potter. You can find me at: Website: http://www.stephanieburkhart.com Blog: http://sgcardin.blogspot.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephanie-Burkhart-Author/149938795021166 Tweet me at: http://twitter.com/StephBurkhart |
| I'm pleased to announce my latest release, "The Wolf's Torment," Book 1 of the Moldavian Moon series. "The Wolf's Torment" is set in the Moldavian city of Constanta, snuggled up against the Black Sea in the 1860's. It's a paranormal romance with witches, wolves, and creatures that haunt the night. The plot revolves around the young crown prince, Mihai Sigmaringen. His father, King Stelian, is dying and he expects much out of Mihai. He wants Mihai to learn Moldavian politics, get married and help unite the Romanian principalities. For Mihai, it's overwhelming, but he does have help – his sister, Sonia and his best friend, Viktor Bacau. Mihai also has a secret – he's a witch. Mihai's mother was a talented witch, but died when Mihai was ten at the hands of an evil witch. Mihai has never expressed an interest in witchcraft until he has a vivid dream of his intended bride – Theresa von Kracken. In the dream, it's Christmas and Theresa faces grave danger at the hands of a werewolf as she delivers a Christmas gift to Mihai. The dream encourages Mihai to accept his heritage and threatens to become real when Viktor is bitten by a werewolf. Can Mihai save his family and the ones he loves from Viktor's feral nature? The theme is a coming of age story for Mihai. He's experienced heartbreak, dare he fall in love again? Can he shoulder the burdens his father has placed on him? Can he accept himself for what he is – a witch? Can the power of love bring out the best in him, or will he falter in the face of great adversity? For me, Mihai's journey is one we all can relate to. It's a very human struggle to find one's heart and courage. Character Inspiration for Mihai Enjoy this excerpt: The set up: Mihai and Theresa are talking in the tower. Mihai reached out and cupped her cheek, unable to hold himself back. "Thank you. You are...amazing, and I appreciate your support. I suppose I haven't told you how much your patience means to me, how you converted to Orthodoxy and learned my language." She placed her hand over his. "I would do anything for you." "Why?" "Because of our dreams." He withdrew his hand, guilt from his affair washing over him. "I'm sorry." "Don't be." He pulled away and reached for his wine. "I have a lot on my mind." It was an excuse, but he did have much to think about, and his fiancĂ©e was starting to make her way into his thoughts, distracting him more. "You can tell me anything." Could he? How deep did his trust go? "I worry for my father." "His illness?" "Yes. I don't like seeing him so incapacitated. He always liked to do thing with his hands. Now he coughs so hard his lungs rattle and he's thinner than I remember." "I can't imagine it's easy. He's very proud of us. It's in his eyes." "He's done much to bring Moldavia forward. He built the hospital and modernized the docks. Now I need to finish the railroad he wanted." "He's proud of you, regardless." His father had been good to Moldavia. Mihai sipped his wine and pushed his anxieties as far away from him as he could, but they stayed with him on the fringes of his mind. She looked at the clock. "It's getting late." "Let me escort you to your room. After Viktor and Sonia leave, I promise to put aside time to work on our wedding." She stood and he watched her wipe out the glasses. She had made a major crack in his hardened heart tonight. Visit the Book Trailer on You Tube and give it a 'like' at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzHE2spBeeU The Wolf's Torment is available as an ebook only on Kindle, Nook, Kobo, and Sony Ereader. Formats include: PDF, html, and epub which can be found on the Publisher's Website at: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-163/Stephanie-Burkhart-Moldavian... About the Author: Stephanie Burkhart is a 911 dispatcher for LAPD. She also served as an MP in the US Army. Multi-published, she has a children's book, "The Giving Meadow" with 4RV Publishing. She's an avid reader , loves coffee in the morning, and her favorite movie "Dracula" is Gary Oldman! You can find me at: Website: http://www.stephanieburkhart.com Blog: http://sgcardin.blogspot.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephanie-Burkhart-Author/149938795021166 Tweet me at: http://twitter.com/StephBurkhart Visit Lindsay's Romantics for the pictures: http://lindsaysromantics.blogspot.com    |
| Just a couple of weeks ago, I took my 8-year-old son, Andrew, to the Reagan Presidential library. I have to admit it was a real treat – not only to have presidential library in my backyard, but the Reagan library. He was president when I was coming of age. He inspired America to believe in itself again. He was president when I joined the Army and I was proud to serve for him. Reagan's library is located in Simi Valley, CA. Construction began in 1998 and it was dedicated on 4 NOV 1991. (I was married on 14 NOV!) Interesting historical note: Presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, and George H.W. Bush were present when the library was dedicated. The Reagan library has some cool exhibits including Reagan's early years in Dixon, IL, his career in film, and his time as California's governor in the 1960's. What struck me, especially with the governor's exhibit, was that Reagan faced the same challenges that California faces now. California was in debt and facing an energy crisis. By the time he left office, California had made some hard decisions and was on the road to recovery. What resonated with me, however, was the Cold War displays. There is a piece of the Berlin Wall on the grounds. I had been to Berlin and even have pieces of the wall myself. I saw the wall before it fell. I had a front row seat to the end of the Cold War in Nov 1989 as I was stationed in Germany when East Germans stormed the wall. I can still hear Reagan's voice. "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall." The most impressive exhibit is Air Force One, the Boeing 707 aircraft which carried Reagan and many other presidents around the world. It was retired in 2011 and transported to the library in pieces. The exhibit began showing in 2005. Currently, Air Force One rests on pedestals 25 feet above the ground and you can walk through the plane, acquiring a feel for presidential travel. The Reagan library is still an active place. In 2008, it hosted the GOP presidential debates. President Reagan was laid to rest on the grounds against a view that embodies the love and affinity he felt for California and the west. Does anyone want to share their thoughts and impression of the Reagan years? |
| I thought I'd take a look at paranormal romance today. Paranormal romance is a very popular subgenre of romantic fiction. It finds its roots in gothic fiction. (Victoria Holt, anyone?) (Side note: I think I'll do a Victoria Holt day coming up. That sounds like fun. But I digress) Elements of gothic fiction include spooky castles or mansions, secrets, and events that, while appear supernatural, have very natural causes. (that's the gothic twist!) In a paranormal romance, however, events occur that are outside the range of natural explanations, thus allowing for the supernatural. Common the paranormal genre are those entities of a "fantastic" or "otherworldly" nature – vampires, witches, shape shifters, and werewolves. Stories that feature characters with psychic abilities such as telekinesis or telepathy are also included in the paranormal. Time travel romance also falls under paranormal since it is still beyond scientific explanation. What makes a time travel successful is their ability to have the characters react logically to their experiences. Paranormal stories also tend to organically blend elements of the suspense and mystery genres due to their fantastic plots allowing for a wide variety within the genre itself. What are some of your favorite paranormal stories? |
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I love gyros. We have a Greek church and restaurant in town and a festival. But... I'm not there. 
