N. N. Light's Book Heaven presents Karen Hulene Bartell #authorspotlight #pnr #paranormalromance #romance #mustread

How does a person become a paranormal romance writer? For me, it was predestined. Born to rolling-stone parents who moved annually, I found my earliest playmates as fictional friends in books. Paperbacks became my portable pals. Ghost stories kept me up at night--reading feverishly. The paranormal became my passion, and as adolescence approached, romances began topping my reading list 😉

But before discussing the making of a paranormal romance writer, let’s define paranormal romance.

Paranormal refers to anything beyond the norm, anything that can’t be rationalized by science. Ghosts fit the bill, but so do many other beings or phenomena—for instance, magic or extrasensory perceptions, such as telepathy, psychokinesis, precognition, or psychometry.

Paranormal romance novels are set in the real world…but with a little more than meets the eye. Just out of sight--or in plain sight--ghosts, shapeshifters, demons, angels, vampires, psychics, mediums, fae folk, zombies, and telepaths also inhabit this world. If you remove the paranormal element--the ghost, shapeshifter, et cetera--what’s left is the normal world.

I like ghosts. Many--if not most--of my novels include a ghost, but I also like cryptids, such as bigfoot, kitsunes, chupacabras, Jersey Devil, Wendigo, et cetera. Keep in mind, the characters of paranormal romances are the most significant feature--regarding both protagonists and the antagonist. (Create backstories for each character. More later how to craft them.)

The setting for a paranormal romance could be a haunted house or lonely country town where neighbors are few and far between. Or the locale could be isolated mountains or megacities. Or the setting could occur in other dimensions or during other eras. Though a supernatural love story has a lower level of violence than an urban fantasy, the atmosphere is spookier, and the mood is darker than romance.

If you’re considering becoming a paranormal romance writer, immerse yourself in the genre. Read, READ, R E A D. Then analyze the settings and plots to distinguish recurring patterns or unique developments.

Practice worldbuilding. Create a supernatural world that feels as real as this one with its own laws, history, and constructs. Consistency is crucial, but worldbuilding can’t dwarf the human experience--human emotions, conflicts, or motivations--because readers must relate to the story’s characters and events.

A paranormal romance writer’s role is to find a happy medium between the natural and supernatural. Let readers suspend their disbelief yet bond with the characters.

Build suspense. Hook the readers’ attention at the start, then use foreshadowing to gradually develop conflict. Finally, establish sexual tension / chemistry between the romantic couple.

So how does a person become a paranormal romance writer?

To begin, I suggest creating backstories for each of your story’s characters, as well as for the ghost, shapeshifter, demon, angel, vampire, et cetera. Create a mythology that your readers never see, but that guide your paranormal characters’ actions and dialogue.

Here’s an exercise I use when crafting backstories for paranormal characters. I pose these questions:

·       What are their paranormal / magical / supernatural powers?

·       Do they have a code or set of laws governing them? (Does their ability allow them to function only at night, at 202 Main Street, when stressed / distressed, during full moon?)

·       Why / how did their paranormal / magical / supernatural powers come to be?

·       How do these beings hide from the normal world? (Or what makes them invisible?)

·       Where do they come from? (The heavens, hell, mars, etc.)

·       How many exist, or is this the only one?

·       What’s their weakness? (Kryptonite, crucifix, potion, sunlight, water, etc.)

·       Do they have any natural enemies, predators, or genetic predisposition to a disease?

·       How have they survived over time? (Or is this a new species?)

Once you have your backstories in place, follow these steps:

1.   Refer often to your backstories to keep your narrative consistent and your characters on track.

2.   Hook the readers’ attention at the start.

3.   Create a credible world.

4.   Build suspense through foreshadowing as you gradually develop conflict.

5.   Establish a frisson between the romantic couple.

6.   Weave all the elements together.

7.   Tie up all mysteries and loose threads.

8.   End your story with a bang.

Happy writing!

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Title Fox Tale

Author Karen Hulene Bartell

Genre Paranormal Romance

Publisher The Wild Rose Press

Book Blurb

Heights terrify Ava. When a stranger saves her from plunging down a mountain, he diverts her fears with tales of Japanese kitsune—shapeshifting foxes—and she begins a journey into the supernatural.

She’s attracted to Chase, both physically and metaphysically, yet primal instincts urge caution when shadows suggest more than meets the eye.

She’s torn between Chase and Rafe, her ex, when a chance reunion reignites their passion, but she struggles to overcome two years of bitter resentment. Did Rafe jilt her, or were they pawns of a larger conspiracy? Are the ancient legends true of kitsunes twisting time and events?

Excerpt

“Ava, are you all right?”

“Yes…” His anxious eyes cleared my mind like fog lights cutting through mist. “I am all right…no thanks to you.”

“I deserve that.” His chin dropped on his chest.

“That and so much more.” This time, anger rose in my throat like acid reflux.

After the breakup, I couldn’t mention the bastard’s name for a year. Always questioning what I’d done wrong, I finally realized his leaving was his flaw--not mine. Then I fantasized telling him off, rehearsing what I’d say and how I’d say it…

But now, face to face, the bluster left me.

Worry lines radiated from his glistening eyes.

Mute testament to what? Grief? Remorse? Like drops of water eroding stone, what thoughts etched those furrows? His face was haggard. His looks have changed, but has he?

“Your behavior two years ago was unconscionable.” I pressed five, and the elevator doors started to close. “I shouldn’t have come.”

He intercepted, and the doors reopened. “Please stay…”

I took a deep breath, debating. Then rather than hold up the car again, I stepped into the vestibule.

“Can you forgive me?” A deep V showed between his red-rimmed eyes.

“No. Standing me up on my birthday was bad enough but eloping…That was unforgiveable--and crocodile tears won’t help.”

“Yet here you are…” A light flickered in his moist eyes.

“I know.” I glared at my nemesis in a silent standoff, annoyed as I stifled a sigh. “What I don’t know is why.”

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Author Biography

Author of the Trans-Pecos, Sacred Emblem, Sacred Journey, and Sacred Messenger series, as well as Kissing Kin, Fox Tale, Wild Rose Pass, The Keys: Voice of the Turtle and more, Karen is a best-selling author, motivational keynote speaker, IT technical editor, wife, and all-around pilgrim of life. She writes multicultural, offbeat love stories steeped in the supernatural. She began writing her first novel at the age of nine, learning the joy of creating her own happy endings. Professor emeritus of the University of Texas at Austin, Karen resides in the Texas Piney Woods with her husband Peter and her mews—three rescued cats and a rescued Catahoula Leopard dog.

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Title: Kissing Kin

Author: Karen Hulene Bartell

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Book Blurb

Maeve Jackson is starting over after a broken engagement—and mustering out of the Army. No job and no prospects, she spins out on black ice and totals her car.

When struggling vintner Luke Kaylor stops to help, they discover they’re distantly related. On a shoestring budget to convert his vineyard into a winery, he makes her a deal: prune grapevines in exchange for room and board.

But forgotten diaries and a haunted cabin kickstart a five-generation mystery with ancestors that have bones to pick. As carnal urges propel them into each other’s arms, they wonder: Is their attraction physical…or metaphysical?

Excerpt

The vineyard reflected the rusty-red tones of the late winter sunset.

Dusk. I held back a sigh as I glimpsed the winery and cozy cabin. Heartrending in its homey beauty, the scene tugged at my earliest recollections.

The child of vagabond parents, I was often on the road at dusk, just as the lights began coming on in the houses we passed. Growing up without a permanent address, I fantasized about living in one of those comfortable homes instead of viewing them through the car window.

“Gets dark early in the mountains.” Luke caught my gaze, did a double take, then stared.

“Is something wrong?”

“Your hair…”

“Is something on it?” I swiped at my head.

“No.” He chuckled. “The sunset captures your hair’s highlights--gives it a reddish glow.”

“Oh.” Pleasantly surprised, I gave a nervous laugh as the heat crept to my cheeks. “Thanks.”

He reached out his hand and hesitated. “May I?”

“Sure.” Wondering what he was doing, I quivered as his hand swept my hair behind my ear. As arousing as a caress, the gesture sent a shockwave through my body.

Then his hand molded itself just above my neck, gently supporting my head as he leaned toward me.

Without warning, I ached to feel his mouth on mine.

He leaned closer.

His warm breath tickling, I met him in a rush of hormones and adrenalin. Then lifting my lips, I closed my eyes, reveling in the give and take of his kiss.

Only Teddy’s insistent bark woke me from the daze.

Then, like a fly buzzing at the window, a high-pitched sound droned--squeak…squeak…squeak--as the chair rocked back and forth on the patio.

In the fading twilight, a nearly transparent silhouette emerged.

I pulled away with a scream, and the image vanished.

“What?” He followed my stare.

“I saw a woman…cradling a baby…” I spoke without turning toward him, watching as the chair gradually slowed its rocking, then came to a standstill. “What’s going on?”

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