{"id":1422,"date":"2014-01-17T04:00:53","date_gmt":"2014-01-17T12:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bestfantasynovel.com\/?p=1422"},"modified":"2014-01-17T04:00:53","modified_gmt":"2014-01-17T12:00:53","slug":"favorite-paranormal-influences-from-sarah-makela","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/taramayastales.com\/bestfantasynovel\/2014\/01\/17\/favorite-paranormal-influences-from-sarah-makela\/","title":{"rendered":"Guest Post: Favorite Paranormal Influences by Sarah M\u00e4kel\u00e4"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/daydreamersthoughts.co.uk\/new-year-new-adult-tour-begins\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/daydreamersthoughts.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/NATourBanner.png\" alt=\"NATourBanner\" width=\"400\" height=\"200\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Today I&#8217;m hosting\u00a0Sarah M\u00e4kel\u00e4, author of <a title=\"The Witch Who Cried Wolf\" href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B00GZ9CSHS\" target=\"_blank\">The Witch Who Cried Wolf<\/a>, as part of the <a title=\"New Adult Blog Tour\" href=\"http:\/\/daydreamersthoughts.co.uk\/new-year-new-adult-tour-begins\/\" target=\"_blank\">New Adult Blog Tour<\/a>. You can download <a title=\"The Witch Who Cried Wolf\" href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B00GZ9CSHS\" target=\"_blank\">The Witch Who Cried Wolf<\/a>\u00a0on\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B00GZ9CSHS\" target=\"_blank\">Amazon<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.barnesandnoble.com\/w\/the-witch-who-cried-wolf-sarah-makela\/1117527750?ean=2940148931034\" target=\"_blank\">Barnes and Noble<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/store.kobobooks.com\/en-US\/ebook\/the-witch-who-cried-wolf\" target=\"_blank\">Kobo<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.allromanceebooks.com\/product-thewitchwhocriedwolf-1369494-344.html\" target=\"_blank\">ARe<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/us\/book\/id768396546\" target=\"_blank\">iTunes<\/a><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Why do I write paranormal? Great question!<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m sure we\u2019ve all have influences in our lives that tugged at us, pulling us in a single direction without letting go. That\u2019s exactly what happened with me and the paranormal.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">As a kid, I grew up on RL Stine and the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark books by Alvin Schwartz. Honest to God, those freaked me out so badly! They\u2019re marketed as kids books, but&#8230; geez! I also watched horror movies on TV with my mom. My favorites were ones with witches, werewolves, and vampires.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Growing up, I moved a little away from books that scared me. In my young teenaged years, I mostly read historical romance (especially Scottish\/Celtic ones with pixies, fairies, etc.), but I still loved the supernatural. However, I\u2019d rather daydream about being a supernatural being or having a relationship with one. I adored the music video Everybody (Backstreet\u2019s Back) by the Backstreet Boys because they were all dressed up like paranormal creatures.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">While I enjoyed historical romance, I found out about paranormal romance and urban fantasy and delved deep in those genres. My favorite authors were Laurell K. Hamilton and Christine Feehan. Urban fantasy wasn\u2019t known as urban fantasy yet. I had to get the books in the horror section, and the genre hadn\u2019t exploded to what it is today.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">I loved reading the paranormal romance books because of the romance and paranormal aspect, and okay, I was still a teenager, so yes, I skipped ahead sometimes to the \u201cfun\u201d scenes. But I really liked the Anita Blakes series by Laurell K. Hamilton because I was able to follow her character while she explored this hidden paranormal world and I could come back for more on a regular basis. I didn\u2019t have to move on to new characters in new books.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">I love the New Adult Paranormal Romance genre. Being able to hang out with the characters for more than one book and really tell their story is amazing. I also enjoy getting inside the heads of different characters in the series because I\u2019m not confined to only hanging out with one or two characters. The possibilities are endless for great supernatural reads.<\/p>\n<p>Thanks for having me here today, Tara!<\/p>\n<p>Enter to win a copy of Sarah&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B00GZ9CSHS\" target=\"_blank\">The Witch Who Cried Wolf<\/a>\u00a0and some other great swag!<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"rc-320ab741\" class=\"rafl\" href=\"http:\/\/www.rafflecopter.com\/rafl\/display\/320ab741\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">a Rafflecopter giveaway<\/a><br \/>\n<script src=\"\/\/d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net\/embed\/rafl\/cptr.js\" type=\"text\/javascript\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Find out more about Sarah&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B00GZ9CSHS\" target=\"_blank\">The Witch Who Cried Wolf<\/a>, available on <a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B00GZ9CSHS\" target=\"_blank\">Amazon<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.barnesandnoble.com\/w\/the-witch-who-cried-wolf-sarah-makela\/1117527750?ean=2940148931034\" target=\"_blank\">Barnes and Noble<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/store.kobobooks.com\/en-US\/ebook\/the-witch-who-cried-wolf\" target=\"_blank\">Kobo<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.allromanceebooks.com\/product-thewitchwhocriedwolf-1369494-344.html\" target=\"_blank\">ARe<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/us\/book\/id768396546\" target=\"_blank\">iTunes<\/a>:<br \/>\n<!--more--><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1423\" src=\"http:\/\/bestfantasynovel.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/Sarah-Makela-Book-Cover-200x300.jpg\" alt=\"Sarah Makela Book Cover\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" \/><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><em>Be careful what you wish for\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>A potion gone wrong:<\/strong> Mia Brooks is a reluctant witch, with powers that she tries to hold in check. But when her magic gets mixed up, supernatural forces are unleashed and suddenly she\u2019s being pursued by werewolves\u2014that she didn\u2019t even realize existed\u2026<\/p>\n<p><strong>Hidden emotions:<\/strong> Ethan Parker, Mia\u2019s brother\u2019s best friend, is home from deployment for the holidays. Mia\u2019s not only hiding from werewolves, she\u2019s trying to keep her feelings for Ethan secret; it would be a disaster if he knew she\u2019s been nursing a long-time crush\u2026<\/p>\n<p><strong>The power of love:<\/strong> Things take a terrifying turn when Mia and Ethan are attacked by a werewolf. Ethan is amazed when Mia reveals her paranormal prowess as she tries to shield them from danger. But can she really protect them from the darkness that lurks? And how can he tell her that, for ages, he\u2019s been denying what he really wants? Mia&#8230;<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"line-height: 1.5em;\">Excerpt<\/span><\/h4>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Jessa\u2019s New Age shop\u2014Eternally Magick\u2014was empty. Usually, Jessa was around. But, right now, she wasn\u2019t. I leaned against the front counter, resting my forehead against the cool glass. Athames, crystals, jewelry and really cute dragon statues were locked in the case beneath my fingertips. While I enjoyed hanging out at the shop and seeing what new potions were available, I wished Jessa had given me some kind of clue as to why she wanted me here. But she was my best friend and mentor; the reason had to be important, if for nothing else to spend much needed time together.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">I glanced over my shoulder at the wall of ingredients lining the shelves, ripe for the picking. It had been a while since I\u2019d made a new potion. Maybe if I could stock up on a few things&#8230;<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cNot what you\u2019re here for,\u201d I whispered to myself. The urge to see what she had nearly drove me away from the counter, but I held myself in check.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Making potions was one of my hobbies. I loved the creativity and excitement that went into building something from nothing, and the brief connection with my power.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Tapping my fingers on the counter, I stared at the curtained-off backroom. Worry crept into my chest. Why wasn\u2019t Jessa here? She never stood me up. This wasn\u2019t like her.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cJessa?\u201d Usually she came right out when the bells on the door chimed. Biting my lower lip, I considered going into the back. Someone could steal things without her keeping an eye on the store.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cComing,\u201d Jessa called. The black-haired and blue-eyed beauty swept into the front of the store like a hurricane of flowing skirts. She always looked like she\u2019d just come from a Renaissance faire.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">I loved the way she dressed, but I knew that style would never be my thing. My parents would think I\u2019d flipped my lid, and my older brother&#8230;. Shudder. Nolan would laugh at me, probably joking with his best friend\u2014and my crush since forever\u2014Ethan Parker.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cWhere have you been? I was getting concerned.\u201d Stepping around the counter, I wrapped my arms around her and she embraced me in a hug smelling of lavender and honey.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cJust in the back. I had to wrap up a call and I guess I didn\u2019t hear you come in.\u201d Jessa smiled, but something was up. She appeared a bit too eager to pretend everything<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">was fine.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cWhat\u2019s going on? Are you okay?\u201d I placed my hand on her shoulder, trying to be comforting.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The door chimed, and we turned in unison toward the shop\u2019s new arrival.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">I blinked in surprise.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The man towered in the doorway, over six feet of pure muscle. If his shirt were a little tighter, I probably would\u2019ve been able to see six-pack abs through it. What was he doing here?<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">He strode in as if he owned the place. There could be no doubt: ladies would drop their panties at his command. If I didn\u2019t have a boyfriend&#8230;. Stop it, Mia!<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI\u2019m looking for the owner,\u201d the man said, his deep voice as smooth and sinful as his looks. Yet beneath his delicious exterior, something about him put me on edge. The hint of arrogance in his eyes and the sharp flare of power as he walked in the room were instant triggers. This guy wasn\u2019t a mere mortal. He was something else, but I couldn\u2019t put my finger on what. Aside from Jessa, I\u2019d never met anyone else with this level of power.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Maybe I needed to get out more.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Jessa cleared her throat, as captivated by him as I was by the sound of it. \u201cI\u2019m the owner.\u201d Her voice hit all the sultry tones and she swayed her shoulders. \u201cCan I help you?\u201d I wished I could pull her aside and tell her my feelings, but that would look way too awkward.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cWe spoke over the phone. I\u2019m interested in the potion.\u201d He leaned his hip against the counter, standing only a couple feet away. Too close for comfort.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Since Jessa had business to take care of, I sidestepped toward the wall of ingredients, but Jessa grabbed my wrist, keeping me beside her. I cast her a dirty look, but she didn\u2019t pay me any attention, focusing her gaze instead on Mr. Way-Too-Sexy.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><span style=\"line-height: 1.5em;\">Glancing up his body to his eyes from so close strained my neck. My five-foot-six frame probably looked tiny beside him. An overwhelming sense of lust and intimidation washed over me.<\/span>\u201cRight, I don\u2019t have any of that in right now, but this woman makes some of the best healing salves I\u2019ve seen.\u201d Jessa nudged me forward, nearly throwing me into Mr. Sexy\u2019s arms.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cHi.\u201d I fought against a shiver.<\/p>\n<p>To read all of the\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B00GZ9CSHS\" target=\"_blank\">The Witch Who Cried Wolf<\/a>, you can\u00a0download it from\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B00GZ9CSHS\" target=\"_blank\">Amazon<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.barnesandnoble.com\/w\/the-witch-who-cried-wolf-sarah-makela\/1117527750?ean=2940148931034\" target=\"_blank\">Barnes and Noble<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/store.kobobooks.com\/en-US\/ebook\/the-witch-who-cried-wolf\" target=\"_blank\">Kobo<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.allromanceebooks.com\/product-thewitchwhocriedwolf-1369494-344.html\" target=\"_blank\">ARe<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/us\/book\/id768396546\" target=\"_blank\">iTunes<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h4 dir=\"ltr\">About the Author<\/h4>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Sarah M\u00e4kel\u00e4 loves her fiction dark, magical, and passionate. She is a paranormal romance author, but she\u2019s written all over the romance spectrum with cyberpunk, sci-fi, fantasy, urban fantasy&#8230;even a sweet contemporary romance!<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"line-height: 1.5em;\">A life-long paranormal fan, she still sleeps with a night-light. In her spare time, she reads sexy books, watches scary movies (and Ghost Adventures), and plays computer games with her husband. When she gets the chance, she loves traveling the world too.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Find Sarah on her <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sarahmakela.com\" target=\"_blank\">blog<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.twitter.com\/sarahmakela\" target=\"_blank\">Twitter<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/authorsarahmakela\" target=\"_blank\">Facebook<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/sarahmakela\" target=\"_blank\">Goodreads<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Today I&#8217;m hosting\u00a0Sarah M\u00e4kel\u00e4, author of The Witch Who Cried Wolf, as part of the New Adult Blog Tour. You can download The Witch Who Cried Wolf\u00a0on\u00a0Amazon,\u00a0Barnes and Noble,\u00a0Kobo,\u00a0ARe\u00a0and\u00a0iTunes Why do I write paranormal? Great question! I\u2019m sure we\u2019ve all have influences in our lives that tugged at us, pulling us in a single direction [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1423,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[55,177,215],"tags":[680,690,691,698],"class_list":["post-1422","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog-tour","category-fantasy","category-guest-post","tag-new-adult","tag-paranormal","tag-paranormal-romance","tag-romance-2"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/taramayastales.com\/bestfantasynovel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1422","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/taramayastales.com\/bestfantasynovel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/taramayastales.com\/bestfantasynovel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/taramayastales.com\/bestfantasynovel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/taramayastales.com\/bestfantasynovel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1422"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/taramayastales.com\/bestfantasynovel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1422\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/taramayastales.com\/bestfantasynovel\/wp-json\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/taramayastales.com\/bestfantasynovel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1422"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/taramayastales.com\/bestfantasynovel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1422"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/taramayastales.com\/bestfantasynovel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1422"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}