Anna Lowe on Paranormal Romance
Why
do I write paranormal romance? For
the same reasons I read the genre. Reading can be an escape, a way to
slip into a fantasy life that's much more thrilling than our everyday
lives. Another thing that draws me to the paranormal is the fantasy
element. Just
imagine being able to slip into another body the way we slip into a
different pair of shoes! Think running shoes versus high heels: each
give you a different feel, a different persona. That's why I enjoy
writing (and reading) about shapeshifters with their dual natures.
Who wouldn't want to change into a dragon
and swoop
over the Eiffel
Tower
with an eternally loyal mate? That
dual nature also
makes
it
fun to contrast different
shifter
species: bears are
earnest and
cautious, while
lions
are
easygoing, fun-loving
guys. Tigers
are touchy, and dragons are super
intense.
Throw
them into
tricky situations
together and you
get
great conflict, depth
of
character,
and some
hearty laughs.
The
opening few chapters of Lure of the Dragon
is
a great example of this - that’s Book 1 in my Aloha Shifters:Jewels of the Heart series.
I
also love the concept of destined mates, which fits perfectly into
the shapeshifter world. That feeling of absolute
certainty,
of love
at first sight. Not
that my heroes and heroines have it easy! There
are always many obstacles to
overcome -- not just to be together but to survive attacks
from
ruthless enemies.
But
once they seal the deal, it’s happily ever after all the way. A
happy end is that much more satisfying when the couple has worked
hard for it, don’t you think?
So,
what about character? I
love a heroine who can stand on her own two feet – one who's doing
just fine on her own. But give the heroine a good man (not to mention
a chance to overcome her own inhibitions) and she’ll never turn
down the chance for adventure, nor shy away from danger. And,
hey - if the guy she’s destined to love just
happens
to be sweet, muscled, and gorgeous - well,
that’s just the icing on the cake!
To
me, characters are most important, but location comes a close second.
I
love setting my stories in exotic, edgy
locations that ignite passionate romance. That’s why my Aloha
Shifters series is
set on gorgeous Maui, with its waterfalls, beaches, and
volcanic
peaks.
Similarly, my Twin Moon series takes place in the desert Southwest,
and my upcoming Fire Maidens stories
are
set in the great capitals of Europe - Paris, London, Rome, and more.
After all, a good romance should be a journey in every sense of the
word. Don’t
you agree?
So,
enough theory. Here’s how all that comes to life in my Aloha
Shifter series!
LURE OF THE DRAGON by Anna Lowe (Aloha Shifters: Jewels of
the Heart, Book 1)
Good dragons? Bad dragons? Twenty-four
hours ago, private chef Tessa Byrne didn’t know about the
terrifying world of shifters. Now she knows too much, like the fact
that a ruthless dragon lord is determined to claim her — forever.
Tessa flees to Maui, where sunny skies, swaying palms, and a handsome
stranger conspire to play tricks with her heart. Can she truly trust
Kai Llewellyn and his band of battle-hardened shapeshifters to save
her from a gruesome fate?
Don’t
trust a human, and never, ever fall in love with one. Those are
lessons Kai learned the hard way. But Tessa is different. Her emerald
eyes mirror the mysterious pendant she wears, and her flaming red
hair makes his heart race. Is his inner dragon just greedy for a new
kind of treasure, or is Tessa his destined mate?
EXCERPT - Chapter 1
Tessa
took two shaky steps toward the ornate gate of the private driveway
and stopped. Was she really going to do this?
You
can trust them,
Ella had said. Ella, the neighbor who’d come along at exactly the
right moment and saved her life.
Tessa
bit her lip. The fabric at the shoulder of her shirt was ripped, and
her throat ached from the attack. Her fingers were still shaking, and
her mind was haunted by visions of a terrifying beast. How could she
trust anyone after what had happened less than twenty-four hours
before?
You
have to trust them. No one else can protect you from that monster.
Crickets
chirped from the lush foliage, and a bat flew overhead, a splotch of
black against the dark night. Tessa shivered in spite of the balmy
night, unwilling to trust her own senses. Sure, the sea was
whispering over the shore in a reassuring way. And yes, the moon’s
rippling reflection over the Pacific should be soothing, like the
sweet scent of hibiscus. But even the island paradise of Maui could
try to deceive her. Nightmares could break the deepest peace —
real-life nightmares she couldn’t block out of her memory no matter
how hard she tried. She could still see the glowing eyes of the
creature that had attacked her.
Mine.
You will be mine,
his voice boomed in her mind.
She
drew a deep breath and looked over her shoulder, wishing she hadn’t
sent the taxi away. She was alone at night in a remote corner of
Maui, far off the beaten track, about to knock on the door of a
complete stranger for help.
A
very rich stranger, she decided, inspecting the gate. There was an
elaborate design in the middle, but she couldn’t quite make it out.
Something swirly. Toothy. Wait — was that a tail? Shit, was it a
dragon, or was she seeing things?
She
shook the thought away and told herself to think. A gate that massive
must protect a hell of an estate — a seaside estate in Maui that
had made the taxi driver whistle when she gave the address back at
the airport.
“Koa
Point Estate,” he’d said. “You’ve got the right friends,
miss.”
Tessa
gnawed on her lip. These weren’t friends. They were complete
strangers. And anyway, the man who’d attacked her in Phoenix was
rich, too. Rich didn’t mean trustworthy — or even human.
She
shook her head and turned back for the road. Who knew what secrets
lay behind that gate? It would be safer to head back to Lahaina and
find a hotel for the night. After a good night’s sleep, she could—
The
beams of twin headlights blinded her, and a powerful engine purred
into the driveway. Tessa froze as a vintage Jaguar approached then
stopped. The driver’s door opened, and a tall man climbed out. His
dark hair and bright blue eyes contrasted with the pure white of his
dress shirt, open at the neck. Sharp, angled features cast their own
sub-shadows over his face. Tall and imposing, he seemed perfectly at
home in the night. Despite the fine cut of his clothes, this man
exuded an untamed, animal feel, like a lion or a wolf. A predator
just as capable of ripping an enemy limb from limb as he was of
protecting the one he loved.
A
little shiver went down her spine.
“Have
you decided yet?” His deep voice boomed, making her jump.
“Decided
what?” she asked, taking another step back.
“Whether
you’re coming or going.”
Coming,
part of her brain said. The part that couldn’t help noticing the
ripple of muscles under the thin fabric of his shirt.
Going,
the terrified part of her soul screeched. Go,
quick.
Lure of the Dragon is Book 1 in a six-book series. *
No cliff hangers. *
Each story is a standalone paranormal romance with
adult content.
More by Anna Lowe - available in ebook, paperback, and audio.
Get 3 free books here.
ALOHA SHIFTERS: JEWELS of the HEART
- Nothing is forbidden to this elite corps of shifter bodyguards and
private investigators…except falling in love. Volume 1 / Volume 2.
ALOHA SHIFTERS: PEARLS of DESIRE -
The epic saga continues - handsome dragon, wolf, bear, and lion
heroes with heart, depth, and soul. Volume 1 / Volume 2.
TWIN MOON RANCH
- Home to a
pack of shapeshifting wolves willing to battle for life and love. Volume 1 / Volume 2 and more here.
BLUE MOON SALOON - Behind the doors of the Blue
Moon Saloon, alpha shifters confront their darkest fears and their
deepest desires. Volume
1 / Volume
2.
SHIFTERS in VEGAS - Zany paranormal romances set
in Sin City! Check them out here.
