posted on August 15, 2022 by N.J. Walters

Why We Love Paranormal Romance

My name is N.J. Walters and I confess I’m a sucker for a brooding antihero, especially if he has paranormal origins. Apparently, I’m not the only one, as paranormal romance continues to be a popular genre with readers.

People have been fascinated by the paranormal since the dawn of time. From scary stories shared around the campfire thousands of years ago as a cautionary tales to the modern vampires that makes us swoon, there is something to suit every taste. You name it, there’s been a romance book written about it—vampires, werewolves, angels, demons, and shifters of all kinds from jungle cats, bears, dragons, and yes, even honey badgers.

The big question is: What is it about these creatures that captures our attention?

I believe one of the draws is the difference in lifespans. They’re immortal or, at the very least, long-lived. Our human lives are fleeting in comparison, measured in mere decades. A paranormal being has often been around for hundreds, possibly thousands, of years and has witnessed the rise and fall of civilizations we can only dream about. I think many of us wonder what we might accomplish if we had that much time. The flipside of that is they often become cynical, sometimes cruel. It can be a fine line, which also makes it great inspiration for stories.

Paranormal beings are primal and wild, not restricted by the rules of modern society. There’s something freeing about that. Shapeshifters are powerful predators, their animal instincts working in concert with human intelligence to create a hero or heroine impossible to ignore. That makes fight scenes and sex scenes even more intense.

Then there is the fact these creatures always have that something extra—enhanced strength, sight, hearing, or sense of smell. Maybe they can fly or shift into a creature of great power. Perhaps they have a measure of control over the elements themselves, can manipulate the ocean or use fire as a weapon. The possibilities are endless. Personally, if I could have one superpower, I’d pick teleportation. Being able to travel anywhere in the world with no more than a thought would be incredible. My second pick would be to be able to read, write, and understand any language—all those currently in use and those long lost to time.

They’re exotic and erotic. Face it, a paranormal being is outside the norm of our everyday lives. It makes it easy to weave stories about them. The ever-popular sexual lure of the vampire—the exact opposite of the first vampire stories ever told. Werewolves and shifters, once feared by people, are now romantic heroes and widely admired for their strength and loyalty. Many shifters in romance have fated mates—a personal favorite—or they mate for life. I love that kind of love and faithfulness. It’s a perfect fit for the romance genre.

The world is rich in folklore. Every culture has its share of gods and monsters. These stories, handed down through the ages, continue to fascinate. For any writer, there is a rich history to draw from. Many take the “traditional” norms for vampires, werewolves, and assorted others and put their own spin on them, creating new and exciting creatures and worlds that we can’t get enough of.

I’ve done this myself with my Forgotten Brotherhood series, dipping into the lore of different cultures for my heroes, heroines, and villains. I also created my own versions of dragons for my Blood of the Drakon series. I call them, drakons, the sons from the union between human women and dragons who visited our realm thousands of years ago. It only seemed right that one of them should be a member of the Forgotten Brotherhood in my latest book Ancient Desire. The Brotherhood are not the monsters under the bed. They’re the ones you call to kill the monsters under the bed.

These stories speak to the darkness that lives inside all of us, allowing us to safely examine those parts of ourselves that scare and excite us or make us uncomfortable. And if it comes with exciting action, sensual heat, and a happily-ever-after for the ages, all the better.

Leave a comment for a chance to win a $5 Amazon Gift Card. (USA and CANADA only.)

N. J. Walters

N. J. Walters

N.J. Walters is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who has always been a voracious reader, and now she spends her days writing novels of her own. Vampires, werewolves, dragons, time-travelers, seductive handymen, and next-door neighbors with smoldering good looks---all vie for her attention. It's a tough life, but someone's got to live it

http://www.njwalters.com

2 thoughts on “Why We Love Paranormal Romance”

  1. Donna Antonio says:

    The possibilities are endless. It allows the characters to be primal.

  2. Colleen C says:

    Love Paranormal romances… enjoyed reading your post!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Latest from our Blog

Mahoney & Squire – Military Women’s Fiction – Meet The Characters

Have you met the men and women of Mahoney & Squire, my high-stakes, high-octane military action adventure series? Let me introduce you! Captain Kathryn “Kate” Mahoney, USN Call Sign “Scarlett” Ambitious, strong-willed, patriotic, and assertive, Kate Mahoney is often derided as a “bitch” by the old school naval aviation community. She struggled through dysfunctional relationships,… Read More

Read More