A few years ago, New York
was saying that the paranormal market was dead.
They mentioned the market was gutted.
No one was interested in anymore paranormal books.
Boy, were they wrong!
My first exposure to a
paranormal romance had to be Buffy the
Vampire Slayer back in the later 1990s:
Yes, the writing is amazing. So is the dialogue. What stands out to me is even through Buffy is
tough she had one huge weakness: her love interests happen to be vampires. This
is all kind of ironic considering she’s a vampire slayer.
It seemed any human love connections
she made, failed. Big time. What can we say? The chemistry between Angel and even later
Spike, another vampire, is steamy hot.
Now it’s a classic and Joss Whedon, has continued the series in comic
book format for a whole new generation to love.
I admit it. I love a good paranormal romance.
Some great examples of some
other paranormal finds:
Vampire
Diaries.
This TV series is based on
the best selling YA series by L. J. Smith.
In this series, Elena, falls for the charms of not one but two brothers
who just happen to be vampires. The chemistry between the three crackles with
sexual tension not only on the screen but in the books as well. Watch an episode and tell me you’re not under
the spell of Ian Somerhalder’s
portrayal of Damon.
Embrace
The war against fallen angels and
humanity has a new heroine. Violet is part Buffy the Vampire Slayer with her
kick-ass abilities but also very much human with her feelings towards her hot
mentor Lincoln. The chemistry between the two of them is hot. Lincoln happens
to be a Grigori and can't have a relationship with her. Then the mysterious
Phoenix ups the whole stream factor. He brings intensity when he's around
Violet. I don’t blame Violet in her
struggle between the two.
Obsidian: The Lux series
Daemon might be
stand-offish and a total jerk but he’s beyond hot. He’s also an alien. Katy has just moved next door and her first
encounter with Daemon is disastrous.
Then all changes with a touch.
Let’s just say this series is amazing.
I could see why Katy came under Daemon’s spell.
WITCH’S
BREW
This is a story where a witch and a
warlock meet and fall for each other. Problem is they are sworn enemies. Kling
casts her own spell with characters that are real and multi-layered. The
tension and chemistry between our heroine and hero sizzles.
Can
you tell I love these stories?
Crossed Out
In my own paranormal, Stephanie falls under the spell of Mark, a
mysterious new boy who she finds might finally ‘get’ her. There’s also chemistry between Dylan, the boy
next door but when Mark gets on the scene, well, forget it. She’s totally under Mark’s spell which might
not be the best decision she’s made.
So what do you all think?
Do you think the appeal of YA paranormal romance might be the whole
fantasy of the beyond hot boy? Why the
appeal?
Originally posted at: http://hhowellauthor.blogspot.ca/2012/06/why-paranormal-romance-are-teen-boys.html
Originally posted at: http://hhowellauthor.blogspot.ca/2012/06/why-paranormal-romance-are-teen-boys.html
Kim, I don't know why the NYT is saying paranormal romance is dead. Perhaps the person who wrote that article hasn't been to a bookstore, checked out Amazon, or watched TV for the past 15 years. I think you hit the nail on the head when you talked about your character meeting a hot boy who might actually "get" her. There can't be anything more enticing than believing there is someone who will understand you the way no one else can - the fact that he's hot is a bonus, and the fact that he is not necessarily all human adds some us vs. them to the appeal!
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