by Special Guest Anna DeStefano
I’ve loved checking in with Romancing the Blog for years. What a fabulous group of columnists. There’s an amazing variety of stories and points of view here. I appreciate being able to hang for a while, to talk about my debut paranormal romantic suspense, Dark Legacy, and, well, how everyone keeps calling it lots of things besides paranormal romance ;o)
Maybe it’s just me. Actually, there’s no maybe about it. I’ve loved so many different kinds of stories since I was old enough to read, it was inevitable. Once I started creating my own worlds, of course I’d write outside the box. Which is what I’ve done for years in my home and family stories for Harlequin, where I’ve specialized in Atlanta Heroes—romantic suspense that keeps you reading lightening fast while I explore community and family dynamics.
So when I started planning the kind of contemporary world I wanted to create for my first mainstream series, I was ready to ramp that family and community and suspense up a notch. With psychotic, psychic twins. Spooky gothic imagery that sets a great tone for manipulating dream theory and weaponizing daydreams. Government scientists with hi-tech labs and powerful psychic abilities of their own. Oh, and a centuries-old brotherhood of watchers charged with tracking not just our twins and preventing the perversion of their powers, but with observing other families with volatile gifts. Their mission: stopping latent paranormal gifts from being harnessed by the powers of evil. Bwahahahah…
Yeah, Dark Legacy is a hot and sexy romance. It’s sequel, Secret Legacy, will be, too. As will be all the Legacies I hope will follow. I love romance and the emotional adventure of unsuspecting lovers fighting for what they never thought they’d find in another person: security, safety and belonging.
But I crave more in a story. Action. I wanted nail-biting action. How could I not, with all the great thrillers out there? Many by some of the kick-ass authors on this blog ;o) And I couldn’t resist adding contemporary paranormal elements that verge on futuristic. You see, I’m totally hooked on my DVDs of Firefly and Serenity and Battlestar Galactica. Even though I wanted my new world to take place all around use, as if the spooky dreams could be happening to you or your neighbors, my sci-fi stoke kept slipping in. And I wanted kick ass heroines who might be broken, but who will fight their way out of whatever challenges they face. Basically, I wanted it all ;o)
Luckily, Dorchester’s great at championing authors who blur genre boundaries. They hosted a NYC signing event at the Lincoln Center Barnes and Noble last week, and invited me to come talk about Dark Legacy. The press release said something about remaking the face of genre fiction. Being included was a thrill, especially since I got to meet inspiring authors like horror writer Jack Ketchum. The night and the crowd’s enthusiasm for all the different genres represented—true crime, gothic romance, paranormal suspense/thriller, and, yes, horror—were a revelation. Because I felt at home in the midst of it. My new contemporary paranormal world that was a little out there and doesn’t fit exactly anywhere, with reviewers calling it urban fantasy and paranormal suspense and psychic thriller AND romance—turns out, that means there’s something for everyone to identify with and dream about and want to know more about. Cool!
So, I guess what I wanted to say with this post was, thanks—to all the writers who’ve blurred boundaries and ignored the boxes people try to build around genres. Again, many of whom write regularly here. Keep inspiring us to find our own worlds to create. Keep showing me that there will always be a home where new ideas and characters can thrive in readers’ minds. Keep romancing us by painting your imaginations on the page, and I’ll try to keep up ;o)
Readers, if you’d like a bigger taste of Dark Legacy, check out the free excerpts on my website: . And everyone’s welcome to enter to win my Dark Legacy Couture Necklace Contest.
And I’m giving away two signed copies today—so say hi in the comments, tell us about the fantastic books you’re reading, and ask any questions you have ;o)
No related posts.
Hi Anna,
I’m anxiously awaiting for my copy to arrive. I ordered it from the Dorchester website on Monday (errr.) Can’t wait.
Best,
Ezzy : )
Bring it on! I can’t write inside genre lines to save my life.
Glad to know there are published authors out there pushing the boundaries so maybe the rest of us will stand a chance one day.
Hope you enjoy, Ezzy! Isn’t Dorchester great, offering an introductory offer on their site!
Everyone, if you’d like to partake, you can buy Dark Legacy for just $3.50!
http://dorchesterpub.com/Dorch/productdetail.cfm?Product_ID=2467&L1=2&L2=0
Kimber, we don’t need no stinkin’ boundaries!!!
Actually, we do, and I’ve been working steadily for five years flirting with the edges of Harlequin series readers expectations. I always want to keep my reader satisfied–that’s what will tempt her to come back for more and more. But I want to surprise and stretch and grow what’s possible, too, I guess. I wanna take the reader on a ride.
So, maybe the challenge is to write inside AND outside the lines at the same time ;o) It’s not an easy juggle–Dorchester’s been great getting behind Dark Legacy, but there were other publishers who loved the writing and the idea but didn’t think they could sell it.
But I like challenges, and I LOVE where playing with them takes my stories
Hi there! i’ve just finished reading Sworn to Silence by Linda Castillo which was a brilliant read, and am currently reading Mr Roberts by Alexei Sayle which took a while to ‘get in to’ but i’m now quite enjoying!
I’d love to win a copy of this book, thanks! xx
I’m reading HUNTING GROUND by Patricia Briggs. Brilliant stuff.
Hi! This series sounds great.
I’ve been reading a lot of romantic suspense. I just finished JoAnn Ross’ “Breakpoint.” I’m currently reading Catherine Mann’s “Hotshot.”
Dark Legacy sounds really really good- I’m definitely going to check it out. I prefer my genre to be blurred by many different elements. I love paranormal anything, but I enjoy it more when it has romance and adventure. Good character writing is a must. I need to be able to invest myself in the characters, which is why I think I am so into series. What I have always found so fascinating is how authors world build– it baffles me how anyone can create these believable worlds within our own, or a totally new world and have it be absolutely visible in my mind. I admire the talent and imagination. So keep them coming!! Eventually my TBR pile will be the size of a small house but that’s okay:)
Wonderful authors, all!!!
Anyone else have a fav. genre (or genre-busting) read???
Coloring inside the lines went out in the 70s. Or 60s. Heck, it really never existed for me.
Reminds me of a fave quote from Aldous Huxley: If they give you lined paper, write the other way.
[ Close but maybe not exact.
]
I’ll check out Dark Legacy. Sounds like something I’d like.
Genre busting? How about Go-Go Girls of the Apocalypse by Victor Gischler.
I love the sound of this book. Great cover by the way. Should be an excellant book to read.
I’m off to the bookstore for some major
book shopping which will include a copy of
Dark Legacy. The excerpts on your site
have really encouraged me to get to the
shop! I will then add Dark Legacy to the
top of my TBR stack!
Pat Cochran
I just finished reading Joan Johnston’s A Stranger’s Game, Christina Dodd’s Storm of Visions and the Quirk Classic Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. That last book was a trip! I’ve always enjoyed the period drama that Austen wrote about and when you add zombies, well it is just… funny. Seth Grahame-Smith seamlessly entered the supernatural into the plot, and made zombies (or unmentionables, as they are called in the book) a regular part of the book. Some people are opposed to these re-worked books but I didn’t mind. Next up is Mr. Darcy, Vampire.
Hi, Anna,
DARK LEGACY sounds great! I love books that combine genres and can’t be easily categorized.
I just finished THE PHYSICK BOOK OF DELIVERANCE DANE which was very good. It was a bit of mystery with some romance and some of it set in the present day and some in Salem during the witch trials.
Thanks for the contest!
Dark Legacy sounds great!
Presently I’m reading Almost Dead by Lisa Jackson
Hi Anna,
seems like I’m following you wherever you go, lol. Dark Legacy sounds fantastic, hope to read it soon.
Anna–I LOVE that you ove characters first. Me, too. It’s what I’ve been drawn to in stories since I was a child. You’ll have to let me know what you think of Dark Legacy’s Maddie and Jarred, and Maddie’s sister, Sarah. I’m expanding the “Legacy” world for her right now
Larena, I love the cover, too. Squealed like a girl when I first say it!
Pat and Lynn and everyone–thinks for looking for Dark Legacy. It’s in all the chains, and I’ve heard it’s been sighted in some Wall Marts. Though they haven’t restocked in my neck of the world, so our Wallies still have the August titles…
Anna–I LOVE that you ove characters first. Me, too. It’s what I’ve been drawn to in stories since I was a child. You’ll have to let me know what you think of Dark Legacy’s Maddie and Jarred, and Maddie’s sister, Sarah. I’m expanding the “Legacy” world for her right now
Larena, I love the cover, too. Squealed like a girl when I first say it!
Pat and Lynn and everyone–thanks for looking for Dark Legacy. It’s in all the chains, and I’ve heard it’s been sighted in some Wall Marts. Though they haven’t restocked in my neck of the world, so our Wallies still have the August titles…
Hi Anna, I’m so looking forward to reading this book!! I’m hoping to win this one!!
This book has intriqued me every since I’ve started hearing about it! It looks really, really good. It hasn’t shown up in my Wal-Mart yet, but we are always late getting books! Good luck with the book and have a great Labor Day Weekend.
What great company you’re keeping, Anna! All those great genres AND all those great authors. I appreciate the blend and twist of different worlds and mythologies and mindsets. You’re keeping our imagination limber
The book sounds quite interesting.
I must admit I don’t really read within specific genres. I tend more towards authors I like and broader descriptions such as Fantasy, Crime etc.
I wouldn’t mind trying your new book , so please enter me.
Thanks