Paranormal with a Twist
Paranormal fans are largely in agreement. Vampire and shape-shifters are uber cool. But they aren’t the only players in the genre game. Paranormal fiction is only as limited as a writer’s imagination.
In AMAZON HEAT, we wanted to do something different. We also wanted a kick-ass chick for a heroine. Wonder Woman immediately came to mind, especially since we wanted a story that was more fun and campy than broody or moody. From Wonder Women we segued to the original kick ass chicks, the Amazons of Greek mythology.
The Amazons of Greek mythology kicked-ass in Asia Minor, but there’s also another legend about a tribe of female warriors in South America. Spanish explorers called the fierce warrior women they claimed to encounter in the jungle “Amazons” after the Greek myth. Then they named the great river after them. We went with the rainforest as our exotic location because of the cool factor and because there are still parts of this one billion acre forest that are completely unknown.
But copying legend isn’t any fun, so we borrowed the warrior women concept but gave our Amazons a custom set of supernatural powers. Anyway, our tribe would live in a magically hidden valley deep in the jungle. The surroundings seemed to demand some sort of connection. So, in addition to the prerequisite super strength, this bunch of bodacious babes would be able to communicate and control the natural environment.
Developing this premise what loads and loads of fun. And we’re not done yet. A sequel is in the works.
Now you know what we like, how do you like your paranormal? Straight up vamps or with an unusual twist?
Two years ago, ethnobotanist Dr. Elizabeth DeMarco, driven by grief to find a cure for cancer, left her lover mid-proposal to accept a position on a research expedition to the Amazon Rainforest. Kidnapped by guerrillas, she was saved by warriors from the secret all-female civilization of the ancient Amazons. She has been kept prisoner since in the Amazon’s supernaturally hidden valley.
Despite Elizabeth’s rejection, anthropologist Logan Spencer never stopped searching for her. While consulting on a mass grave uncovered in the remote Brazilian interior near the place Elizabeth was kidnapped, Logan falls from a cliff. On the brink of death, he is collected by the Amazons and magically healed. When Logan wakes, the first person he sees is his beloved Elizabeth. Unfortunately, their reunion is less than joyful. The mystical medicine is changing Logan. But there’s no time to study the side-effects. The Amazons plan to steal Logan’s DNA, then kill him. Logan and Elizabeth must escape before dawn or Logan is doomed. Getting him out of the hidden valley won’t be easy. The Amazon’s supernatural powers make the task all but impossible.
Melinda Leigh is a mom, a dog lover, and a second degree black belt in kenpo karate. In addition to writing paranormal romance for Carina Press, she is also the author of She Can Run, a kindle bestselling romantic suspense released in November 2011 from Montlake Romance. Find out more Melinda: website / facebook / twitter
Rayna Vause is fascinated by the paranormal and she loves a good romance as well, which probably explains why these two elements perpetually crop up in her writing. When she takes off her writer hat she is a martial artist, video game lover, Disney enthusiast, and a Pop Tart aficionado. Find out more about Rayna: website / facebook / twitter
Melinda and Rayna blog together at http://AttackingThePage.com
I love this concept!! Especially the fact that he is not the sole rescuer. I always look for a fun factor in books, brooding can drive you drink and I do enough of that already.
ReplyDeleteBlue Shedevil,
ReplyDeleteAmazon Heat was so much fun to write because we allowed ourselves to play with the story. Thanks for stopping by.
Melinda
Hi Blue Shedevil,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! We really wanted this story to be a fun adventure in a unique setting. We appreciate you stopping in.
Rayna
I had the honor of reviewing this book and I really enjoyed it. It was a great spin on the Amazons, and the heroine kicked butt!
ReplyDelete