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Friday, November 11, 2011

Guest Blog by Theresa Meyers - Blending Steampunk and Paranormal Romance - November 11, 2010

Please welcome Theresa Meyers to The Qwillery.

Blending Steampunk and Paranormal Romance
 
There’s something inherently fascinating about bringing two distinctive things together to create something new. Take Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Chocolate, perfect in its own right and deserving of a food group all its own. Peanut butter, the staple of probably more than half of the school kid lunches in America on every given day. Both all on their own fantastic, but when put together, well, the angels sing.

That’s what blending steampunk and paranormal romance is for me as a writer, and it’s why I wove them both into THE HUNTER. I love both as their own thing, but when merged into one story, it’s simply irresistible. It also makes my steampunk world a little different bend than most. Yes, of course there are the wonders of science, the mad genius, the spirit of adventure, but there’s also a darkly mystical side to my world. My heroes in the Legend Chronicles, three brothers named after their father’s favorite guns, are supernatural hunters in the Wild Weird West.

Winchester, Remington and Colt have been trained to hunt down and destroy the Darkin that threaten humanity. So while regular people go about their daily lives, these guys don’t bat an eye-lash when it comes to fighting down demons, slay shape-shifters, battling hell-hounds or going up against ghosts. They just do it with some fantastical steampunk help, such as Colt’s clockwork horse, Tempus, Sting Shooters (that are steampunk, Tesla-coil-powered tasers) and the specially designed Darkin-killing bullets perfected by their inventor friend Marley Turlock. They know that while ordinary people might not see the ending of the world coming, they are the first, last and only defense in making sure humanity survives.

Part of what I love about steampunk is the essence that anything was possible if you were just curious, adventurous or determined enough to make it happen. It’s accepting that we can be more, do more, than we ever thought possible by reimagining the past as it could have happened. I love the clothing, the elegance and intricacy that was part of the Gilded Age. I’ve a bit of a Victoriana nut with a strong love of tea, and I’m a maker in my own right. I sew, design, paint, and can my own home-grown fruits, veggies, sauces and soups, when I’m not out tackling my herb garden. For me steampunk is like the peanut butter. It’s gritty, it’s brown, it’s got a specific flavor you won’t find anywhere else and you know it when you taste it.

With paranormal romance, I’m just as fascinated by the things we can’t see that still influence us. Most of my writing tends to take a paranormal path, likely because when I was little my mother did things like pretend we had elves in the tree stump in the back yard. They even talked under my window one night—which I later found out in my 20s was due to a tape-recorder. She made my brother and I believe in the magic all around us and I still have that rose-colored tint to how I look at the world today. But if there’s one thing about the paranormal I’ve learned, it’s that there’s balance. Dark must have light to survive and vice versa. And with paranormal romance, the ending is always sweetly satisfying. You know the good guys win and that love can conquer all. Paranormal romance is like chocolate. It’s dark, it’s varied, the subtle changes and flavors are nearly endless and when done right it can be an experience you can’t get enough of.

So when it comes to blending steampunk and paranormal romance, it’s not just about the fantastic inventions or goggles, nor is it about the balancing act between the dark and light forces of the paranormal world and the power of love. It’s a bit of both, blended together to create a flavor of fiction that’s something familiar but also completely different. That’s what I’ve tried to accomplish in my Legend Chronicles series, but you may have to taste it yourself to find out.


About the Legend Chronicles

The Hunter
Legend Chronicles 1
Zebra, November 1, 2011
Mass Market Paperback, 352 pages

They’re the Chosen—Winchester, Remington and Colt—brothers trained to hunt down supernatural beings using the latest steam-powered gadgetry. It’s a hard legacy to shoulder, and it’s about to get a lot more dangerous…

A Devil Of A Job

Colt Jackson has gotten his name on many a wanted poster with success in the family business: hunting supernaturals across the frontier. Lately, though, there’s a sulfur stink in the wind and the Darkin population is exploding. A rift in the worlds is appearing. To close it, Colt will have to do the unthinkable and work with a demon to pass arcane boundaries no human alone can cross.

Except when he summons his demon, he doesn’t get some horned monstrosity: he gets a curvy redheaded succubus named Lilly, who’s willing to make a bargain to become human again. He also gets Lilly’s secret expertise on the machinations on the dark side of the rift. And her charm and cleverness help to get them out of what his silver-loaded pistol and mechanical horse can’t. Of course, when all hell breaks loose, he might have to sacrifice his soul. But what’s adventure without a little risk?


About Theresa

Raised by a bibliophile who made the dining room into a library, Theresa has always been a lover of books and stories. First a writer for newspapers, then for national magazines, she started her first novel in high school, eventually enrolling in a Writer's Digest course and putting the book under the bed until she joined Romance Writers of America in 1993.

In 2005 she was selected as one of eleven finalists for the American Title II contest, the American Idol of books. She is married to the first man she ever went on a real date with (to their high school prom), who she knew was hero material when he suffered through having to let her parents drive, and her brother sit between them in the backseat of the car. They currently live in a Victorian house on a mini farm in the Pacific Northwest with their two children, three cats, an old chestnut Arabian gelding, an energetic mini-Aussie shepherd puppy, several rabbits, a dozen chickens and an out-of-control herb garden.

You can find her online on Twitter, Facebook, at her Website or blogging with the other Lolitas of STEAMED!


The Giveaway

THE RULES

What:  One commenter will win a Mass Market Paperback copy of The Hunter (Legend Chronicles 1) from The Qwillery.

How:  Leave a comment answering the following question:

Paranormal Romance, Steampunk Romance, or any kind of Romance? 

Please remember - if you don't answer the question your entry will not be counted.

You may receive additional entries by:

1)  Being a Follower of The Qwillery.

2)  Mentioning the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter. Even if you mention the giveaway on both, you will get only one additional entry. You get only one additional entry even if you mention the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter multiple times.

3)  Mentioning the giveaway on your on blog or website. It must be your own blog or website; not a website that belongs to someone else or a site where giveaways, contests, etc. are posted.

There are a total of 4 entries you may receive: Comment (1 entry), Follower (+1 entry), Facebook and/or Twitter (+ 1 entry), and personal blog/website mention (+1 entry). This is subject to change again in the future for future giveaways.

Please leave links for Facebook, Twitter, or blog/website mentions. In addition please leave a way to contact you.

Who and When:  The contest is open to all humans on the planet earth with a mailing address. Contest ends at 11:59pm US Eastern Time on Friday, November 18, 2011. Void where prohibited by law. You must be 18 years old or older to enter.

*Giveaway rules are subject to change.*

32 comments:

  1. I have to say paranormal romance. But honestly, I don't understand what steampunk romance is. It's a new genre for me. But I'd like to know about this genre.

    Thanks for the giveaway

    amel.armeliana@gmail.com

    +1 follower
    +1 comment
    +1 share on twitter
    http://twitter.com/#!/JungieFairy/status/134985085240877056

    ReplyDelete
  2. Steampunk Paranormal Romance would be my preference as a perfect combination of best worlds :)
    Thank you for this giveaway!
    +1 comment
    +1 follower
    +1 shared on my blog http://nocturnalbookreviews.blogspot.com/p/giveaways.html

    impy80 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Paranormal romance is definitely my favorite. I do like Steampunk romance too, just haven't read a lot of it. I like when the two are combined. A Steampunk world with Paranormal creatures.

    +1 comment
    +1 blog follower
    +1 twitter follower (@sara_UFblog)

    Sara M
    sara_UFblog [at] yahoo [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  4. All three, to be honest. I'm really enjoying Steampunk romance at the moment (especially Meljean Brook's Iron Duke series), but I love all three.

    +1 comment
    +1 follower
    +1 Tweeted (https://twitter.com/#!/RebeLovesBooks/status/135049840240496640)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Any kind of romance and I have yet to try steampunk romance which I believe I'll enjoy.

    GFC follower
    Cambonified{at}yahoo{dot}com

    ReplyDelete
  6. any kind of Romance..

    https://twitter.com/#!/PandoraSWolf/status/135060052234076161
    GFC: blackwolf
    darksiry(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm into any kind of romance, but I'm burned out on regency and highlander types.

    GFC Anne38
    acm05atjuno.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love just about every genre in romance... I can't get enough of it! LOL

    +1 comment
    +1 follower

    Thanks,
    Tracey D
    booklover0226 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  9. For me I have a definite love of the paranormal and romance in general. I have not had the opportunity as of yet to branch out into a
    Steampunk romance as this is a relatively new genre for me, thus the great fun I have been having with The Qwillery's recent posts. I want romance to be romance, however. Too often recently I am seeing romance interchanged with sex. I do not feel I am a prude and I love a well written steamy scene, however, I want the story behind it more than the mechanics :) Thank you once again for sharing with us a new and interesting read and introducing me to this lovely author's work.
    +1 follower
    +1 comment
    +1 tweeted = https://twitter.com/#!/ZDz59001/status/135061539723034624

    dz59001[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Any kind of Romance! If it is good written and have interesting characters, I will read any romance now matter what genre the book is.
    +1 comment
    +1 GFC follower as Sofija Kapranova
    +1 tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/soni_sonik/status/135073140807176192

    kapranova.sofija@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Paranormal and comtemporary romance

    tnx 4 the giv away
    +1 comment
    +1 follower
    1 share on twitter
    https://twitter.com/#!/rocapri/status/135092713447108608

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'm not picky, as long as it has a good plot and the story flows well. However, I do find myself reading more PNR than anything just b/c the stories are more original/different. I've also really gotten into SP and I love it! :)

    GFC: erin
    efender1(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Overall, I prefer a paranormal romance, especially one with a UF twist. I'm still relatively new to steampunk, although I loved The Greyfriar. I do like to try different genres once in a while though so I don't overload on any one particular one, otherwise it just feels like you're reading the same story over and over.
    This new book looks pretty good- thanks for the contest entries!

    +1 comment
    +1 email follower
    debbie at burdeen dot com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh, I am HUGE lover of all things steampunk, so it would definitely be steampunk romance for me!! Thanks for the awesome giveaway:)

    +1 comment
    +1 follower

    jwitt33 at live dot com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Any kind of Romance is great. Though I am going through an Historical Romance period right now.

    I follow.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Any kind of romance works :) All are pretty excellent.
    +1 comment
    +1 follower

    Vivien
    deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  17. All romance works for me!

    +1 follower
    +1 comment

    thegirlonfire27 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  18. im a big fan of the paranormal romances.. used to be just romance but ive switched.. i have just started getting into steampunk, and i love what i have read so far!!

    +1 for following
    +1 for commenting

    alainala AT hotmail DOT ca

    ReplyDelete
  19. I love all kinds of romance, but paranormal and steampunk romance are my favorites. If you can blend them into one story, all the better. This book is on my wish list, so I'd love to win a copy.

    Barbed1951 at aol dot com
    GFC follower

    ReplyDelete
  20. I like any kind of romance!! Thanks for the giveaway!

    GFC: Maegan Morin

    megnate at telus dot net

    ReplyDelete
  21. hi,
    to answered your question's, i must say i read any kind of romance. i really enjoy to read them :)

    +1 gfc : berliantina80@gmail.com
    +1 share on fb : http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002309439315
    +1 comment

    thank you for made the giveaway open for international ^^

    hugs,
    Lilis
    berliantina80@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. I am new to Steampunk but I think it's fascinating. the thing I live about it and paranormal stories is the creation if a totally new world which often exists side by side with the everyday world where people are oblivious to the dangers all around them. Adding Steampunk to the paranormal mix just expands that other world adding thexauthir's ability to be super creative.

    I don't think I can chose between the two because both genres still create these alternate worlds. throw in some romance and both get better!

    Congrats on Yhe book- it looks like a great start to a really cool new series.
    MJB
    msmjb65 AT gmail DOT com

    +1 comment
    +1 GFC as MJB

    ReplyDelete
  23. I love paranormal romances and may love steampunk romances also... I don't believe I've ever read a steampunk romance! But... I'd certainly open to reading one if I haven't! Thanks so much for the giveaway!

    GFC Follower
    lindalou(at)cfl(dot)rr(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  24. Any kind of romance but at the moment i'm more paranormal romance than others

    thanks for the international giveaway

    +1comment
    +1follower: miki ( or perhaps isabelle frisch)

    isabelle(dot)frisch(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  25. I love to read any kind of romance with a preference for the paranormal. I have read a few steampunk now and enjoyed them.
    1 - comment
    1 - follow - irgl7
    irgl7(at)bonzo15(dot)plus(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Any type of romance really. I prefer paranormal romance but then I get in phases where I have to read anything with Highlander in the title or a kilt on the cover, or anything that shouts "knight" and then I'll get in a western romance phase or a contemporary, etc. Generally though if it's got a werewolf, vampire, fae, witch, etc. I'm on board. I'm just discovering the steampunk genre so I don't have much experience there.

    +1 comment
    +1 GFC: ML
    +1 Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/Rogue237/status/135804191506571264

    mljfoland AT hotmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  27. I love all romances, I mostly read paranormal, but I read historical and steampunk to have a break from paranormal.Thanks for the giveaway.
    fah218@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Any kind! I love the slightest spark of passion ;)

    Jess @ Taking It One Book at a Time

    +1 Follower
    +1 Comment

    ReplyDelete
  29. i like nearly every romance except contmporary. i need something special or unusual for romance to work for me. it doesn't have to be romantiv even. i like the plot more.

    gfc: yto
    tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/Yto77/status/136477178224316416

    witchvela at web dot de

    ReplyDelete
  30. I would have to say paranormal romance. I am just starting to get into steampunk, so I haven't read that many books in that genre yet. Thanks for the chance.

    I am a follower
    sariahwalters at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  31. For now, I would have to say paranormal romance. I haven't had much exposure to Steampunk romance yet, though, so that may one day change. Thank you for the giveaway!

    +1 Follower
    +1 Comment

    ntelhiard(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  32. I like paranormal romance the best but read any kind of romance.
    +1 GFC follower
    +1 comment
    Thanks for the giveaway.
    marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete