Guest blog by Gemma K. Murray, author of Keeper of the Golden Dragon’s Heart

What do I love most about writing romance with an urban fantasy/paranormal twist? Everything!

My debut book begins, what I hope will be, a long series of books set in an Upper Peninsula town. Cedar River is a small town, which is home to every sort of shifter you can imagine. From dragons to pumas to bears, fishers, wolves, owls, hawks, and even a phoenix family, a reader will be able to step into this world and find what they’re looking for. There will even be a sighting of a witch or two (or thirteen).

With this genre, anything goes. You can create a completely new world or you can set it in a current time and simply create. Your imagination is the limit. Lucky for me, I have characters who live in my mind and aren’t afraid to state their story and where they want it to go. A few of them (casts a mental glare at Anastasia and Adam) are so opinionated that they will simply stop talking to me when the story doesn’t go their way. Which means I have to go back and delete all the hard work I’ve written to take it the way the characters want it to go.

Let me give you an example: I began Bowie and Ana’s story knowing Bowie was a golden dragon shifter and sheriff to Cedar River. Ana was a puma, but I wanted her to be a wolf. I thought a wolf would be better simply because I have dogs and could study the way they move. I could use that to describe Ana as she hunted. The story went very slow, but it progressed. Then, it came to a screeching halt! Ana began to scream at me day and night. I couldn’t sleep. Reading was hard for me to do. Concentrating on other manuscripts became impossible. I tried to ignore her, but one day, Ana said, “Alright b****, I’m a puma, a dangerous, predatory cat. I am not, never have been, never will be a canine. Write me as a cat or else.” I finally caved. I mean, this book was never going to see the light of day anyway, right? I fixed the story. Ana opened up the gates of creativity and allowed Bowie to step into the light with gusto, which has led me here. (smiling happily) It looks like Cedar River, Michigan is here to stay since the characters are directing me on the journey.

Next up is Adam, a puma shifter, and his lovely lady, Luna, a wolf shifter. I love these two simply because of the history they share. The love runs deep and wide with these two.

Brady Golden is whose story I’m working on now. He’s frustrating, but he has staked his claim on a woman who is going to rock his world.

So, why do I love writing paranormal/urban fantasy? I get to play in a world of my own creation. I get to set it in one of the most beautiful places on earth (in my opinion). I get to spend time with animals/people who may or may not exist (depending on whether you believe). My imagination runs wild and free with absolutely no inhibitions.

How about you? Why do you love reading/writing paranormal/urban fantasy stories? Who are you favorite authors? If you’ve had the opportunity to read Keeper of the Golden Dragon’s Heart, what did you like/dislike about Bowie and Ana’s story?

Keeper of the Golden Dragons HeartBook Blurb:

The Upper Peninsula of Michigan seems like it is another country. The rawness and beauty of the land draws people from every walk of life. What most people don’t realize is there is a little town nestled on the banks of Lake Superior that an entire group of supernatural beings call home. Shifters of every shape and size live there. They raise their families there. Tourists come from near and far to visit the quaint town of Cedar River, Michigan. The tourists never realize they are walking among some of the most unusual beings on earth.

Bowie Golden is a dragon shifter who is in charge of Cedar River’s safety. Until now, the biggest threat to anyone’s safety was Anastasia Plum, a witch/puma-shifter. She has been the town hellraiser since she was a teenager. Now someone has discovered the secret the residents of Cedar River keep for one another. These radicals are determined to eradicate the entire town. It’s up to Bowie to keep them all safe.

Ana has always idolized Bowie. She may have stirred up trouble from time to time, but Bowie or one of his brothers would always get her out of the trouble she was in. One day, it happened. The unthinkable, the unimaginable occurred. Anastasia Plum fell for the “golden” boy. What an unlikely duo- the sheriff and the hellraiser!

Just as these two discover their passion for one another, a group of people is determined to keep them apart. It’s up to Ana to prove that she is the only Keeper of the Golden Dragon’s Heart.

Buy: Keeper of the Golden Dragon’s Heart

Author Bio: My name is Gemma K. Murray and I am the author of Keeper of the Golden Dragon’s Heart, a urban fantasy/paranormal romance from Leap of Faith Publishing. You can find me on the web at http://gemmakmurray.com or www.facebook.com/GemmaKMurray. I tend to share a lot of U.P. pics on my Facebook page, if you’d like to see the beauty of “my” world.

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too wicked to wedHero: The Earl of Killingworth, Connor Linsley, is not your usual Earl of the Realm. He works for a living earning money from his gambling den and brothel that carters to men of the peerage. He hides this fact from others by pretending to be just any other high roller in the establishment. Like any alpha he keeps his heart guarded, but the fiery Alexa gets to him like no other could – when she lays claim to half of his business and refuses to give it back!

Heroine: Lady Alexa Hendrie is fierce. She tracks her brother to The Wolf's Lair and demands of Connor his location. The price for that information is a kiss (and it will knock your socks off and Connor’s too). Later unbeknownst to her, Connor is robbed at the gaming tables and from his safe. When his pledge of half the business (which is exchanged for money from a friend) comes across her path--while she’s dressed as a man playing cards--she wins it and uses it to blackmail Connor into helping her locate her wayward brother.

Review: The story really picks up the pace when Connor gets shot and the two of them flee to Linsley Close, Connor’s abandoned estate by the coast. There they pose as newlyweds while Connor convalesces. It’s pretty funny when the housekeeper walks in on them to bring Connor sustenance. These two lovebirds have got some pretty blistering chemistry. There’s lots of kissing – the really hot kind!

I also like the other lords who are Connor’s friends: Gryff and Cam. Gryff is going to have to lay off the booze, it’s not that attractive, but his other qualities make up for it (for now). Cam is seriously hot and a thief. I want to read his book. Yum!

Favorite Quote:

“Why the devil does she feel she must take such awful risks?”

“Is that a rhetorical question,” asked Cameron. “Or do you wish for an honest answer?”

[…]

“Because she loves you. She’s willing to risk anything to win your heart.” Cameron crossed one booted leg over the other. “And you, you ungrateful cur, ought to have your teeth kicked out through your arse if you don’t appreciate what a rare and wondrous gift that is.”

Rating: ★★★★½

Buy: Too Wicked to Wed (Lords of Midnight)

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by Guest Blogger 05.25.2012

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