Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Tuesday Guest Post: Lynda K. Scott


The Allure of Dark Paranormal
By
Lynda K. Scott

Have you ever stayed up late to watch a scary movie? Or read a scary book? Did your heart race? Was your breath short? Did you get shaky hands? Or a tingle down your spine?

That's part of the allure of dark paranormal - ghosts, goblins, vampires (the Nosferatu types), werewolves, warlocks…the list goes on. Now, a lot of these, particularly the vamps and weres, are pretty popular right now especially if they're smokin' hot and supernaturally ripped. But that's not how these types began.

They began as the Things That Go Bump in the Night. Things that prompted you to be leery about being out after dark. Or, heck, being alone after dark. They were on the order of morality plays.

Let's talk about Little Red Riding Hood. A mother sends her daughter on an errand to take some special food to her grandmother. Mother tells her - Don't go in the woods. Stay on the path where you'll be safe. The young daughter agrees that she'll stay on the path and go directly to Grandmother’s house. But, on the way, the wolf intercepts her and asks where she's going and why. Well, Little Red tells him because…why not? Mother didn't say not to talk to strange wolves. But she notices how pretty the flowers in the nearby woods are and the wolf sees his advantage. He tells her to stop, to take her time, and smell the flowers. So she did.

We all know that wolf had evil intentions toward both Red and her grandmother but Little Red was an innocent kid and what harm ever came from smelling flowers? She even picked a big armful to take to her grandmother.

And that gave the wolf time enough to eat Grandma and do the 'what big eyes' routine when the kid finally got there. He ate Little Red too in some versions. That was her punishment, and the story warning, for disobeying her mother. In the end, of course, the wolf was punished for his bad deeds and Little Red and Grandma were saved by the Huntsman or Woodsman depending on the version.

The original Dracula did pretty much the same thing. We knew he was evil. We knew his bite would kill us but oh, he was so seductive, he made us forget all our good sense. We had the adrenaline rush, the urge to run and the urge to throw our heads back to expose our throats.

While Little Red Riding Hood and Dracula are pretty old hat to us, they illustrate the two facets we want from our dark paranormal.

We want to be scared. We want to be seduced.

But, mostly, we want that adrenaline rush that causes the racing heart, the short breath and the shakiness in our hands and limbs whether it's from fear or excitement. That's the true allure of dark paranormal.

What are your thoughts?

Leave a comment AND email me at Lynda@LyndaKScott.com to be entered in a drawing for a copy of either Altered Destiny (PDF format) OR Great Escapes - Valentine’s Day. The drawing will be on Aug 16.

Thanks for having me here!


Heartstone
By Lynda K. Scott
Mundania Press
Science Fantasy Romance

Eric d'Ebrur is out of time. He must fine the legendary Heartstone and fulfill the ancient Gar'Ja bond he shares with the Stonebearer. But when he finds her, he discovers that love can be more dangerous than the Gawan threat. Eric can defeat the mind-controlling Gawan but will it cost him the woman he loves?

After terrifying episodes of hypersensitivity, Keriam Norton thinks she's losing her mind. When handsome shapeshifter Eric d'Ebrur saves her from the monstrous Gawan, she's sure of it. But insane or not, she'll find the Heartstone and, if she's lucky, a love to last a lifetime.

Available in print and ebook format
Buy Links: Mundania Press (use MP10 at checkout for 10% discount)


Altered Destiny
By Lynda K Scott
Science Fantasy Romance
Available in ebook formats

Stranded on an alternate Earth, architect and Jill-of-all-trades, Liane Gautier-MacGregor must find her way back to her homeworld before she's enslaved...or falls in love with a man who is the exact duplicate of her ex-husband.

Devyn MacGregor's alter ego as the Reiver Lord is the only way he can fight the Qui'arel and their nefarious Bride Bounty, a tax paid with human females...until he meets the oddly familiar woman who claims he is her husband. And who sets in motion the rebellion that will either free his countrymen or destroy them.

Buy Links:



Great Escapes – Valentine’s Day
By Lynda K. Scott and Linda Wisdom
Coliloquy
Interactive Adult Paranormal Fiction

The heartbroken and lovelorn come to Great Escapes B&B in search of a relaxing getaway, only to embark on a weekend of sexual self-discovery, courtesy of the inn's resident ghosts, who bring to life each guest's deepest desires.

Just as the ghosts transform to meet the needs of each guest, Great Escapes leverages the Kindle platform to deliver what each reader wants. Do you like your erotica steamy or romantic? Your hero to have blue or brown eyes? Anonymously fill out your preferences, and we'll deliver the best version of hundreds of combinations prepared by the authors.

In Great Escapes: Valentine's Day, Rose's best friend gives her a weekend stay, where an invisible lover helps her to rediscover her sexuality. But will she open her eyes enough to see who is right next door?

Buy Link


About Lynda:
In her family of Kentucky 'ridge runners', oral tales were a tradition that even children participated in. She spent many nights with her brother, cousins and friends telling tall tales to excite the imagination. Now she creates award winning science fantasy romance filled with despair, hope, love and courage


Where to find Lynda on the web:


To join my newsletter, send a blank email to: LyndaKScott-Newsgroup-subscribe@yahoogroups.com





16 comments:

Lynda K. Scott said...

Hi everyone! I'm so glad to be visiting (LOVE the background for the blog...all those BOOKS!) Darkling Delights. Thanks to Pamela for the invitation ;-)

Anonymous said...

It's the thrill of the unknown that gets me. Is that dark handsome stranger really after me or is it my imagination? It's my imagination, damn it. Oh well, maybe in my next life. Tee Hee. Loved the blog. Valentine's Day really peaked my interest. Ghosts are my first love in the world of the paranormal. Has it been formated to down load to my Kindle Fire yet? Keep writing so I can keep reading.

Linda Andrews said...

To me, it's the lure of the unknown. Yes, I'm the silly one that goes to investigate that noise. I just have to know. I'm glad you have a new book out and ghosts are my favorite too!

Lynda K. Scott said...

Mary, I do believe GE-Valentine's Day is now formatted for the Kindle Fire.

Linda, I'm the one who investigates too but that's because I'm the bravest one in the house, lol.

Don't forget to send me an email to enter the drawing with your choice of Altered Destiny or Great Escapes.

Jennifer (JC Page) said...

I'm still shaking in my computer chair. Love the blog post and allure...Great presentation!! All the best Lynda, happy sales :) Thanks Pamela for hosting Lynda.

Lynda K. Scott said...

Hi Jennifer!

Thanks for stopping by!

Teresa Reasor said...

Lynda:
I loved the post. And I totally agree. A hundred years ago there was a period in writing about the end of the seventies when dark paranormals were written and published like mad.The Exorcist was one of them. About that same time was when I read In Cold Blood by Truman Capote not a paranormal but terrifying because it showed the dark side of human nature at a time we were still relatively innocent.
And your book Heartstone sounds great!! Wonderful blurb. I'll check it out.
Teresa R.

Lynda K. Scott said...

Teresa,

The Exorcist was a book I had a hard time finishing. Darn thing kept making me check under the bed, behind the curtains and in the closet, lol.

But I admit I loved it even if it scared me half to death!

PamelaTurner said...

Popping in to say thank you to Lynda for stopping by and also for holding her awesome contest. Good luck, everyone! :-)

Lacey Falcone said...

I think at one time, a long time ago, these scary tales (good vs evil) were used as entertainment...but, I think they were also used to give children lessons about being good, or about doing what they were told. Great blog - thanks for sharing!!

Lynda K. Scott said...

Good morning!

Pam, it's my pleasure to be here ;-)

Lacey, I think you're right. The tales were entertainment (campfire tales anyone?) and lessons for children to follow the rules, as in Little Red Riding Hood. I guess it boils down to - do you like to be scared? I do, lol

Lynda K. Scott said...

Don't forget to send me an email if you'd like to be included in the drawing for either Altered Destiny or Great Escapes. Tomorrow will be the last day to send it. You can put Darkling Delights in the subject line to help me differentiate between this drawing and another one I have starting tomorrow.

Boy, I love blogging and having contests!

Julie Eberhart Painter said...

I think you're right it's the thrill...from the safety of a book on your lap.

During the war, it was the dark windows that scared me. I wrote s short story, "Faces in the Glass," that sold immediately to a new magazine that folded immediately. What is the reverse of the Midas Touch?

Lynda K. Scott said...

Hi Julie,

Don't feel bad. For a long time, I had the 'kiss of death' for magazines. They'd buy a story, then go belly up. I was afraid they'd send out word to all the other publishers to stay clear of me! ;-)

Lynda K. Scott said...

Well, no one emailed me so I'd have their email addy so I'll just pick one of you ;-)

The winner is Julie Painter. Julie, please email me and let me know which book you'd like. The choice is Altered Destiny (PDF) or Great Escapes - Valentine's Day (available in Kindle and Nook formats)

My email is Lynda@LyndaKScott.com

Thanks, Pam, for having me visit!

Unknown said...

Fantastic post Lynda! My heart does race from both of those stories!! Enjoyed this! Thanks for sharing :)