Paranormal Romance

The romance genre started with Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre, which is about a young woman who was orphaned and fell in love with her boss only to have obstacles in the way. Since then the romance genre has progressed into what it is today. It has more of a focus on the sexual aspect of a relationship rather than the courting aspect. There are novels that do focus on the courtship and love between a couple, but sex is always a part of the novel. Paranormal romance novels have been raising in popularity for many years now. A common trademark for paranormal romances is the inclusion of vampires, werewolves, shapeshifters and demons as well as Greek gods and goddesses in the case of Sherrilyn Kenyon. Paranormal romance finds it roots from Goth fiction. Paranormal romance includes literary traditions of fantasy, science fiction and horror.

Paranormal romance has been around for a while, but with the rise of movies like Underworld, the intrigue of stories with vampires, demons, werewolves and more are becoming more popular. Between the years 2002 and 2004 publications of paranormal romance shot to 170 per year. Paranormal romance is considered the fasted growing sub-genre of romance novels. It blends contemporary living with magical being and powers being our imagination. Many authors include elements of suspense and mystery along with the romanctic elements. Most fantasy and science fiction novels focus on setting and the alternate worlds they create, but with paranormal romance the focus is on the underlying romance, as much as the alternate world.

In the first romance novels creatures like ghosts and other supernatural beings were a part of the storyline as warnings of something terrible or to represent danger, or even to add a spooky atmosphere to the story. They were not the actual characters themselves. Many myths and literary stories about gods and goddess talk about the gods themselves conquering evil, and small indiscretions. But with paranormal romances take the stories to another extent such as Sherrilyn Kenyon who puts a twist on the actions of gods and goddess as well as their children; and their love affairs. Many times the women become the heros within the novel, or become a part of a team with their lovers.

The Dark Hunter series is written by Sherrilyn Kenyon. It revolves around the children Greek gods and goddess and the demons they control and attempt to control. Dark Hunters are supposed to be the hunters of Artemis. Kenyon intertwines demons, Daimons, vampires, gods goddess and humans into a sexy series that draws her readers in. Her paranormal romances draw in readers of all kinds from truck drivers to police officers to students. There is something for everyone. She also has written the Dream Hunter series, Sea Wolves (as Kinley MacGregor) and many more. She is one of the best selling paranormal romance writers. Kenyon's writing is hot and passionate even when the scenes aren't sexual. She has a way of making her readers relate to the characters even if they are paranormal characters. I personally wasn't sure of the romance genre, but Kenyon is one I would read.

Anya Bast is another wonderful paranormal romance author, who also writes erotic romance novels. Bast't novels focus more on witches and the power they control, as well as vampires and other paranormal characters. Kenyon and Bast have one thing in common, which is typical with paranormal romance: the female main character becomes the hero in one way or another. She becomes part of a team with her love interest or she saves her love interest from the big bad, or even from himself. She is probably more known for her erotic romance novels. Some other authors who write in the paranormal romance genre are Lindsey Sands, J.R. Ward, and Christine Feehan.

Paranormal romance novels is something that will be around for a while. The more people become fascinated with the paranormal the more demand there will be. As well as long as there are authors like Anya Bast and Sherrilyn Kenyon keep writing novels the way they do there will be a following of readers who will want more of their writing. As long as there are stories of vampires, werewolves, demons and more people will be interested in the paranormal romance genre.