Elements of Gothic Paranormal Romance

Elements of Gothic Paranormal Romance

Hello Readers and Friends,

As some of you may already know, I recently released my gothic paranormal romance novel Hacienda Moon. Wait! What? I can hear you all the way over here where I’m sitting. And my computer runs pretty loudly, by the way. You’re saying: “No she didn’t just go and write some old-timey horror book.” I promise that it’s probably not what you’re expecting.

Creepy old houses, curses, fainting women, ghosts, diaries, visions, alpha males, psychotic screaming women, and…romance, of course: these are all elements of Gothic Paranormal Romance. The gothic part of this genre is ancient. Yep! That’s right.  I’m talking like Bronte sisters and Bram Stoker kind of old. It has been around for hundreds of years. The paranormal part is what makes it fresh and new. Combine them and you have a modern day gothic story that so far readers are truly enjoying.

So how did my fascination with the scary, dark, and unusual begin? I took a class about four years ago that introduced me to the pioneers of the genre: Horace Walpole, Ann Radcliffe, and Arthur Lewis. I remember thinking: “Man, why the hell did I sign up for this boring stuff.” Hint: I didn’t say stuff. Substitute another ‘S’ word in its place, please.

But guess what? A strange thing happened. These stories weren’t like the Jane Austen and Bronte sisters’s musings. These stories contained old castles and ghosts and torture. This shocked my socks off. And I’ll admit, I actually started to like reading these books.

Okay, so I might be a bit strange myself, but hey somebody has to do it, right? In fact, I’d tell you to go read the Monk. Don’t be clicking away from the page just because you think I’ve lost my mind, now. Really. Seriously. Go grab a copy off of B&N or Amazon (these stories are usually free, btw) and then you’ll see what I mean.

In my novel Hacienda Moon, I combine all of the above elements in a southern setting. The technical term would be Southern Gothic Paranormal Romance. Phew! A mouthful, I know. So I created a story that is part Anne Rice, part Dean Koontz, and part Abbi Glines. Wait! What? Well, I just wanted to make sure you were still paying attention.

But like Abbi, I’m a southern gal. So yes, there’s some ice tea (with lemon) and Bahama Mama mixed drink action going on. There are some sexy hawt heroes, an oil tycoon with a kinky side and a pouty bottom lip, and a teenage girl that will scream in your ear if you act like an Injun Giver. These are the elements of what is considered the new Gothic Romance of this day and age. Whether it's southern, vampiric, classic, whatever, you kind of have to admit that it's all just plain fun.

Thanks so much for visiting with us again today.

Yours in Prose,
KaSonndra Leigh
You can stalk me online at: http://www.kasonndraleigh.com