1.30.2008

Paranormal Romance Challenge

Mmmm...nothing gets me going quite like the thought of a voluptuous sorceress seducing me with her spells of passion (because, yes, I am that hard to get and that's what it takes to get me), binding me with the chains of lust, and torturing the depths of my soul until I submit, granting her my everlasting oath of fealty. Then we have a sweaty swordfight wherein we discover the true meaning of love.

Hey kids, if you're like me, then you'll be all atwitter with the latest from Harlequin Enterprises:
Harlequin Announces Creation of Paranormal Romance Blog
TORONTO, Jan. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Harlequin Enterprises Limited, the global leader in series romance and one of the world's leading publishers of women's fiction, today announced the creation of Harlequin's Paranormal Romance Blog, a blog dedicated solely to paranormal romance novels, one of the fastest growing romance fiction categories in the world.
This book is a great example of what you need to keep those paranormal love juices flowing:
Guardian's Keep
by Lori Devoti

Kol Hildr had spent the last century battling hellhounds and warlocks who sought to usurp his portal's magic. A mighty shape-shifter with the ability to change into wolf form, Kol made accessing the powerful gateway nearly impossible—unless you were a witch of Kelly Shane's talents. She had a score to settle and would do anything to close the portal that led to her unearthly prison. Though an alliance with her compromised Kol's very purpose, something about the little witch overwhelmed his fierce, battle-worn soul. But when he learned that Kelly's life might be in jeopardy, could Kol put aside the one thing he thought he valued most—the portal—to journey to the other side and save her?
Now that I've got you all hot and bothered, I think a challenge is in order for the Paranormal Romance writers. I want to read a hot, sensuous novella straddling the borders of woo and skepticism. That's right...butter up some woo and spread it all over science. How about bloodsucking love affair between a vampire and a theoretical physicist, eh?

Wait...hold on friends. Even better--so much better: let's have a story centered around Sylvia Browne and James "The Amazing" Randi, two indomitable enemies, reigning supreme within their separate domains. Use the story to transcend their differences and build a bridge between them. Start, perhaps, with Sylvia saying "Oh...so that's where I put his address," develop the conflict (don't forget bloodlust and sweaty swordfights), and end in a haze of cigarette smoke, with Sylvia's raspy whisper, "Oh James, you really are amazing."

Did someone say 'bestseller'?

No comments: