Guest Blogger: Elizabeth Amber
Elizabeth's winner is: afstone3! Congratulations! Send me your contact information and I'll pass it along to Elizabeth. Thanks to everyone who participated.
Are you paranormal?
I just looked up the word “paranormal” in the giant Random House dictionary I’ve had forever. To my surprise, it’s not there. The dictionary’s copyright date is 1983, so I guess the word wasn’t part of the lexicon back then. Things have changed, especially in romance novels. Paranormal has never been more popular.
“Para” means “beyond.” Beyond normal. I like that. I’m pretty normal in my everyday life, and I didn’t really recognize any particular paranormal traits in myself until I wrote my first romance novel, Nicholas, The Lords of Satyr. I wrote it because I had read romances forever, and because I had an idea. But it was an idea outside of the normal realm of romances I was comfortable reading. My idea was about men who are satyrs -- the carnal followers of Bacchus in Roman mythology -- who own a vineyard in 1800s Tuscany, where they guard ancient secrets and engage in rituals that secure their heritage.
This idea was “beyond normal.” It was erotic and it unexpectedly rushed from my brain to my fingers and on to paper. When it was finished, I let my bf, and only my bf, read it. She pronounced it kinky and urged me to submit it to a publisher. When it was published by Kensington, along with three more in the series, my family was supportive, but confused. Why was their normal daughter/sister writing erotic historical paranormal romance? I’d gotten out of the box they’d grown used to seeing me in.
My mom was delighted when one of my book covers (Dominic) was featured on The Today Show in an interesting video about the current boom in romance novel sales. See it at:
For my mom, the world had now righted itself. After all, if my work was on a show she watched religiously, I must be just as normal as she’d hoped after all!
How about you? If you had to check a box that you’re “normal” or “paranormal” in your everyday, work, or dating life -- which would you check and why? The same in all three? Is there any one thing about your personality that’s paranormal? If you’re pretty average/normal in other respects, do you read paranormal? Why do you think that is?
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you’ll leave a comment. Lynda will choose someone to win a copy of my fourth novel, Dominic, The Lords of Satyr! Visit http://www.elizabethamber.com/ to read excerpts of my erotic historical paranormal romances.
~ Elizabeth AmberNicholas
~ Elizabeth AmberNicholas
Raine Lyon Dominic : The Lords of Satyr series
Coming soon: Daneerotic historical paranormal romance
Kensington Aphrodisia
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Elizabeth's winner will be chosen and posted here on Tuesday evening. Stop back by to see if you've won.
posted by Lynda Hilburn at 10:22 AM
21 Comments:
I really love your covers! Usually I'm not a huge fan of covers with male torsos, but yours are absolutely gorgeous.
I have a feeling there's no such thing as normal... Which is as it should be. We're all combinations of different qualities, and what's normal to one person seems weird to another. I wonder if paranormal is popular because deep down, many people don't want to conform to a norm (especially if normal is an Illusion). That's my guess, anyway.
Hey Ms. Amber and My Lynda!!!! OMG... How glad I am to see you here!!!
I am here to show my support!!! I have the books already and reviewed them (if anyone is interested, lol) ~ they are amazing!!
Normal, didn't know that exsited anymore. My life seems pretty chaotic to me at times, that normal does not describe it. I do not have many normal moments... okay... maybe none! Now with that being said... I love my paranoraml books, why, because they allow us to use our imaginations and go to the beyond... outside that box that a lot of people think we should be stuck in!!! lol!
Well, I will go update my place to let everyone know that you are here today!!! And to give a shout to Ms. Lynda!!!
BTW... how is Devereux these days?? =)
Hope you guys have a wonderful day!! And good luck everyone... You will love Dominic's book!!! And you must go buy the other three!!!
I believe I'm normal with everyday life situations. But with young ones around its easy to go "beserk" once in awhile. That's why retreating to my nightly baths that last for hours while reading my paranormals allows me to escape..aahhh. Need I say more.
Normal is boring. I like being *para* normal. I would say however that the one place that I am NORMAL is at work, but even then, I am not as NORMAL as my co-workers (I work in a library *snort*)
I absolutely adore your covers!
Well, i have read and enjoyed some paranormal books. I think it's because there are different rules.
I’m a huge paranormal fan and I would love a chance to read one of the Lords of Satyr books!!!
But I don’t know how to answer the question of normal or paranormal. What’s normal? I grew up in families (both sides) that were extremely superstitious and even whispered of witchcraft use – they called them Charmers since witchcraft would have been a sin against the Holy Ghost. While deeply religious, the old folks talked of spirits and ghosts all the time so some things to me are just not that unusual. We have a heavy Scots/Irish/Native ancestry and a blending of those, I think, brought a lot of mysticism.
Me, yeah, maybe a little “paranormal” – it’s not something I’d share. Let’s just say if I called my husband and told him to do something strange, like change his route home, he’d just say ok, do it and not ask why. I call it women’s intuition – I think we’re all intuitive to some degree – some just more than others. Best of luck Elizabeth… and Lynda, thanks again for another great interview.
I am a huge fan of the Lords of the Satyr series. The cover for Nicholas got me to pick it up, the story had me hooked. And as far as paranormal romance is concerned...Normal can be a little boring after 40 years of reading. Adding mythical components to any writing especially romance genre, what a way to spice it up!!
This comment has been removed by the author.
I love the satyr series by Elizabeth Amber and I have to say the covers were what caught my attentioon, but the stories kept me going.
I prefer paranormal over normal any day. Paranormal is sexy, fun and thrilling. Normal is not even close to any of those catagories.
I read paranormal because it spices up my normal life.
Please count me in for giveaway.
cindyc725 at gmail dot com
im would shoot for paranormal. Normal just seems so boring so lets grab some adventure. I love your books and would love to win this one.
Hello Lynda and Elizabeth!
Wow Elizabeth you are a very busy lady this month making your rounds through the blogosphere.
I would definitely say that I fall into the normal category, but there are several people who would disagree with me--my husband would be one. I love the paranormal though. Give me a book, movie, or T.V show dealing with anything paranormal and I am a happy woman add romance and I am ecstatic!
Lynda, you are only the second Linda I have ran across that spells the name with a "y" instead of an "i". The first was an ex-boyfriend's mother. She would get really irritated if someone misspelled her name.
Great post ladies!!
Ok, I love male torso covers, but yours are especially artistic and fine!
Normal...is anyone really normal? If they say yes they are probably lying. Paranormal is the way to go.
Elizabeth I love the fact that you make time to blog on all these sites you have been visiting lately.
If you are heading to or are in D.C. have a great time.
I'd say I'm pretty normal at work, but otherwise I'm paranormal all the way. I both read and write paranormal books--it's become my favorite genre just because anything can happen. It's all unexpected.
I have to say that my life in all directions all around seems to fall into the paranormal. It just fits and thats no joke. Even the dating scene..lets just say I have dated more then one man claiming to be other then human. LOL And personally, well I seem to always have a weird kind of luck where I'm always in the middle of something ab-normal. Like 9-11, I was there. Survived just barely by trusting my insticts. And so reading paranormal comes naturally. Not only are the paranormals an excitingly dangerous lot to read about, but I'm happy to see I'm not alone in the weirdness that seems to make up my life half of the time.
LadyVampire2u(AT)gmail(DOT)com
For me normal is kinda the same as perfect - and that I am not! LOL, but I strive for it (some weird thing about always wanting to make my father happy).
I'm normal in everyday life actions but get inside my head and I'm thinking about vampire and shifters and wondering what would happen if a dragon landed in the middle of the road as I drove home!
Ditto with everyone on the cover art! Very attractive and makes me want to buy the whole set so they match!
Thanks for the blog - very cool - Miranda
mdwartistry at yahoo dot com
Welcome to Paranormality, Elizabeth! It's great to have you here. I can't imagine being "normal." Even when I try to be normal, it doesn't work. LOL.
And hello to everyone!
Hey, Cecile! Great to see you. Devereux is doing well. He's got women trouble in the third book. LOL.
Hi, Cybercliper: I'm glad you enjoy the author posts!!
Heather D: I run into Lyndas all the time! We're all sensitive about the spelling of the name. I usually introduce myself as "Lynda with a Y." That seems to help people remember me and my name better! Thanks for commenting.
The cover art is H.O.T., love them!
Fantasy has always been a comfort read for me, I know romance is a comfort read of lots, I just like my romance a little unusual that's all.
Please enter me in your drawing, I'd love to take a peek!
Dottie :)
My favorite genre to read is Paranormal, I'm always looking for new authors and series to read! Your series sounds great, glad you could be here!
Hi Lynda,
Thanks again for having me on your blog!
Hi Barbara, Jeanette, Chris, and Natasha,
Thanks for your kind thoughts on the covers. I love them too!
Cecile!!
Thanks so much for stopping by. And for reviewing the satyr novels earlier this week on your blog. Your blog has some great contests from other authors such as Lauren Dane listed too so I hope some of you will drop by. http://alliwantandmore.blogspot.com
Armenia,
Escape, yes! That’s one reason I read romance. :o)
Hi Chey,
And it’s fun making up those rules.
Hi Cyber,
How fascinating. I’m not sure if I’d like to have more intuition than I do or not, but I love reading about abilities outside my own. Thanks for sharing this.
Hi Martha,
I’m so glad you’re enjoying the satyrs. I’m working on a 5th—Dane.
I Heart!
I read it for similar reasons.
Hi Sarabelle,
Thanks so much!
Hello Heather!!
Good to see you here. I know, these blogs got clumped together somehow. Lynda and I had a snafu last month when I was originally supposed to be a guest and we moved it to today. I’m pretty normal myself and love reading about abilities outside my own experience.
Hi af,
I think there are probably some scientific parameters for what constitutes “normal.” But I’m sure you’re right that there’s quite a variety of characters within that spectrum. Normal people with quirks. :o)
Hey LadyVampire,
I’ve never had a guy claim to be other than human. I’m not sure how I’d react. :o) I know what you mean about luck—sometimes I go through periods in which I know I’ll win things and that good things will happen. I’m glad you made it through 9-11. My heart goes out to you for having gone through such an experience. I used to live in NYC and had friends who were nearby but everyone survived. That was an awful day. I can remember so vividly, getting phone calls and being glued to the TV.
Hi Sweet,
Thanks for your comments on the covers! I’ve got those paranormals in my head too! :o)
Hi Dottie,
Thanks!
Tetewa,
Thanks, you too!
Thanks to everyone for stopping by. Thanks again, Lynda!
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