When the Real World Meets the Paranormal Romance World #PNR

Paranormal stories, myths and folklore are often times based on true events, embellished truths or superstitions. These stories have been passed down for centuries. It’s no wonder their themes didn’t wind up in our present romance novels. Does the paranormal romance novel get your heart racing? It does mine. I’ve been reading books on the supernatural since I was a kid and I love them now especially the steamy romance kind.

What types of paranormal romance gets your heart racing and keeps you up reading until the wee hours of the morning??? Shapeshifters, vampires, witches, demons, ghosts??? Or are you like me and love them all?? If you’ve noticed the ‘soup du jour’ in the paranormal romance genre is shapeshifters, mainly bear shifters. As with any trend, they change, (who wants to eat the same soup day after day?) so authors should write what they have a passion for and readers will look for something different when their taste for the soup du jour changes.

Readers and Authors!! Please feel free to share your favorite paranormal romance here, including your own. A tell us what your favorite paranormal theme is. See choices at the end.

Even though paranormal is for the most part made up, I do a lot of research for my books. The Cryptopedia: A Dictionary of the Weird, Strange and Downright Bizarre, The Writer’s Complete Fantasy Reference, Vampire Universe, The Science of Vampires, Vampires: The Occult Truth, and several books on Wicca, ghosts, myths and folklore. I’ve also talked to people about experience or their specialties. Like for His Lost Mate I met and spoke with an archaeologist who had been in the business for over 35 years. I also visited the pyramids in Tikal, Guatemala.

So is it possible for these paranormal themes to cross over into the real world? I can’t say I ever met a real shapeshifter or a demon. As for vampires…I’ve been in contact with a few who believe they are vampires. Ghosts- some believe, some don’t. Do you?? I do! I’ve seen them a couple times, heard them, felt them, smelled them. Just recently I had an experience at a restaurant/bar where I work as a part time bartender/server. It’s a lovely old Victorian house and the owner’s mother owned the restaurant and lived in the house above. Now the daughter runs it and the mother has passed on. It was a quiet night. The other evening, one of the servers went into the back room the check that the tables were set properly. It’s their formal dining area with a little alcove that has a fireplace and a hutch that hold our linens and glassware. No one was there. She said out of the corner of her eye, she saw someone walk in and into the alcove. She thought it was me. When she turned, no one was there.

She came out by the bar and told us about her weird experience, then I noticed the strong scent of vanilla. I asked if she sprayed perfume. She said no. The table of guests seated by the bar also noticed the scent. The owner smiled. I asked if that was a sign of her mom visiting. She didn’t say.

Besides the types of paranormal characters, what about locations and times?

Paranormal stories can take place in present ‘semi-normal’ day settings, future, alternative history, historical, or a time travel setting, a story that takes place on another planet or alternative universe. So many great locals and themes, so little time to write them all!

More crossover reality/paranormal experiences: the archaeologist I spoke with knows of others in his field who had experiences with ghost at excavations sites. I also had an experience while climbing one of the large pyramids in Tikal and had several nightmares after where I saw or imagined slaves or workers climbing the pyramid and building it or working on it, and hearing the screams of someone being sacrificed at the top. It shook me so badly, I froze in the middle of my climb and my friend had to coax me to finish climbing to the top. Maybe it was the heat and my overactive imagination, but it chilled me to the bone.

In my New Release: HIS LOST MATE, there’s a ghost. An ancient ghost of a shaman who claims to be the father of the heroine. He says in her past life, he was unable to protect her, he’s returned because she again is in danger, and so in the archaeology team working with her in the jungle. Lauren (the heroine) along with the Deven (the hero) must solve the supernatural mystery and the real threat, while battling an evil entity before it’s too late. The question is: Will history repeat itself and will the two lovers be lost again forever?

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HIS LOST MATE

KindleUS: http://amzn.to/1eoV5o9

KindleUK: http://amzn.to/1J4XMrP

KindleCA: http://amzn.to/1IPPjpr

KindleAU: http://bit.ly/1MMOy1b

Available for PreOrder at the discount $2.99. or FREE for Kindle Unlimited. It will be Released on July 21^st and revert to its regular price of $3.99. Print copy coming soon!

Don’t forget to share your favorite Paranormal Book here on your post then share on Twitter if you like!

Who’s Your Favorite Paranormal Hero? 

-         -Vampire

-         -Shapeshifter

-         -Demon

-         -Witch/Warlock

-         -Sexy Alien

-         -Ghost

-         -Immortal other than vampire

-         - Other (let me know what sexy creatures get you excited)

Paranormal Pleasures II Cover Reveal - by Roxanne Rhoads

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A Search for Ghosts - Part 4

(Part 4)

GHOSTBUSTER GADGETS

There are various types of equipment used by paranormal investigators and I’ll give a brief overview just to give you an idea on how elaborate these ghost hunters can get. As with anything, some people are more skilled in technique than others. Anyone can go onto Amazon and buy this stuff. Some of these devices are highly sensitive electronics designed to measure slight changes in the electromagnetic field or air temperature. The usefulness of this equipment is directly proportional to the scientific competency of the person operating it.

Cameras: Film, Digital, Infrared, 3-D, Thermal Imaging, Video. The disadvantage of digital over film cameras is that digital does not produce a negative so if the photograph wants to be enlarged, the picture loses resolution. But digital cameras can take numerous pictures quickly without having to change film.

3-D captures images from different angles, giving the three dimensional appearance. These photos are not easy to fake.

Infrared is used under the theory that spiritual energies may exist in an invisible light range. In the same way Thermal imaging cameras pick up heat signatures thought caused by ghosts.

Audio recording: Sound recording of ghosts are called electronic voice phenomenon (EVPs). An old fashioned tape recorder or digital recorder can be used to pick up scratching, rapping, voices or moans. The recorder is usually left in a room running then listened to much later.

EMF Meter: electro-magnetic field meter. The theory is that a ghost has energy output and, if present, will alter the reading on the meter.

Ion Counter: There’s another theory that ghosts are contain highly charged ions which can be detected by the ion counter.

Motion Detectors and Thermometers: “Cold spots” are supposedly a sign of the ghostly presence, therefore, a sudden drop in temperature would be useful for an investigator to recognize a possible event. Same goes for the motion detector. Motion might detect poltergeist activity.

Night Vision Goggles: A ghost hunter’s personal equipment device. Whether that helps them see the ghosts better or just see better in the dark, I don’t know.

I wanted to recommend THE CASE FOR GHOSTS, An Objective Look at the Paranormal by J. Allan Danelek. I found a lot of information in his book for these blog posts. And also at the various Paranormal Societies of Pennsylvania.

http://www.paranormalsocieties.com/state_list.cfm?state=pa

Eastern Pennsylvania Paranormal Investigations http://www.eppsinvestigations.com/

A Search for Ghosts - Part 2

Ghostly mist and orbs in photo

(Part 2)

While doing research for the topic of ghosts and ghost hunting, I discovered a huge number of paranormal investigators in Pennsylvania where I live. Pennsylvania must have a lot of ghosts or supernatural activity because when I checked out this site: http://www.paranormalsocieties.com/state_list.cfm?state=pa

I counted over 150 paranormal societies located in PA and dozens more outside of the state that participate in activities within PA. This is one of the local sites with some detailed information: http://www.eppsinvestigations.com/

I talked about the first three types of ghosts in the previous post on December 2^nd. The other four types are explained below:

4) Non-Human Manifestations- This type of ghost is reported to be interactive, intelligent and can manifest emotions. To believe in the theory that this type of ghost exist, you have to also believe that there are non-human sentient beings in the universe. These may be malevolent or benevolent in nature.

5) Poltergeist- The word

poltergeist means “noisy ghost” in German. They are the most interactive of ghosts and tend to move objects around a room, cause rapping, push or touch people, even start small fires, yet some investigators don’t believe they exist. One explanation for these manifestations seem to occur in the presence of a prepubescent girl or a high strung teenager. It’s thought that the activity is telekinetic energy from the humans not the ghosts. But this doesn’t explain all activity.

Vortex in photo?

6) Inanimate manifestations- Inanimate objects like planes, ships, cars, etc. have been reported to appear and disappear as ghostly images usually where a tragedy occurred. What about the appearance and disappearance of personal items? Remember the bumblebee pin in The Sixth Sense or the wedding ring?

7) Animal Ghosts- Can a family pet return as a ghost? Some people think so. I have creepy images of Steven Kings Pet Cemetery.

Have you had any encounters with any of these seven types of ghosts??? Please share your stories.

(Part 3 will be posted on Thursday December 9^th.)

A Search for Ghosts- Part 1

(Part 1)

There are a number of TV shows out there and books written about “ghost hunters”. Many ghost hunters or paranormal investigators have elaborate equipment and work in an organized, professional and scientific manner, others may have fancy equipment but not the technical skills or knowledge to use it correctly. Paranormal investigators strive to prove (or disprove) the existence of the particular phenomenon they happen to be investigating. If you can’t accept that the human personality survives death at least as a theoretical possibility, then the possibility of ghosts would be pointless to discuss.

I’ve always had a fascination with ghosts and ghost stories since I was a kid. I collected books on ghost stories and still have a ton. I always wanted to see a ghost but it wasn’t until I moved into my house in Florida that my wish came true. That ghost was of an older gentlemen and I wasn’t the only one who saw him. The house wasn’t that old, only forty years or so. Now that I live in a house that’s over 100 years old and is located by a cemetery, I should see ghosts, but alas, no ghosts.

Whether or not you believe in ghosts or the different types of ghosts I’m going to discuss here, I found the topic interesting. Others may have other theories. One book I can recommend if this topic interests you: THE CASE FOR GHOSTS, An Objective Look at the Paranormal by J. Allan Danelek. A great book about ghosts and ghost hunting.

The paranormal investigators claim there are seven types of ghosts. I’ll talk about the first three types today and the rest on Monday.

TYPES OF GHOSTS- Seven Types

1) Interactive Ghosts- These are ghosts of deceased human beings. They’re self aware, intelligent and can interact with the living by becoming visible, being heard, even touch the living or manifest odors. As with humans, these manifestations display the full range of emotions and temperaments—from playful to violent.

2) Non-Interactive Ghost- Or an “imprint”. This ghost tends to act oblivious to its surroundings and to anyone close by. Sometimes their activities are like a scene from a movie rewound and repeated. They’re also called “Repeaters” or “Residuals”. Some investigators don’t believe these are real ghosts, but somehow images that have been etched into the environment, like a supernatural DVD that keeps playing over and over.

3) Living Ghost- There are accounts of people seeing the manifestations of someone—usually a living person close to them who appears as a ghost. The person of this ghostly apparition might be hundreds of miles away and in great stress or danger, like a soldier in a war. He’ll appear suddenly to a loved one even though it’s known that he’s hundreds of miles away. I call this situation astral projection. But that’s another topic. The living ghost can occur with a friend or family member at the precise moment of their death.

The other four types of ghosts will be discussed in Part 2 continued on Monday December 6^th.

November Contest Winner

And the winner is....

Thanks to everyone who helped me celebrate the release of SECRET SOIREE from Ellora's Cave. From those who posted a comment during the month of November, and left their email, or sent me an email privately, I randomly selected a winner.
The Winner is: Melissa Keith
Congratulations Melissa!!! She selected a free download of one of my books.

Coming up: I'll be posting a three-part blog discussion on one of my favorite supernatural topics: Ghosts. During this holiday season, one of my favorite movies to watch has three ghosts: Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol. I've read ghost stories since I was a kid and have tons of books on ghost stories. Even my first published novel has a ghost. I hope you'll share you thoughts and stories about ghosts in these posts. The first post should be up late tomorrow.