How Paranormal Romance Found Me by Natalie-Nicole Bates

If you would have asked me six months ago what genre I write, I would have told you contemporary romance without a hesitation. Indeed, my first sale this past summer is a contemporary romance titled Change of Address, which will be available from Secret Cravings Publishing this coming January, 2012.

Paranormal is an fascinating genre that has always interested me. But as a book reviewer, I've seen it all--vamps, weres, shifters, zombies--writers were already heavily writing in this genre, and writing it well. I felt that if I ever wanted to write anything for this genre, I would need to find a new idea, a fresh idea.

I am an avid collector of Victorian and Edwardian era photography. To me, there is much beauty in these amazing stills. This past spring, I found a photograph available from an online seller that completely captivated me. The size of a postcard, but printed on much thicker stock, was the image of a funeral home (I come from a long line of folks in the funeral care business). Outside, a handsome man stands proudly with his hands clasped in front of him, most likely one of the owners at the time. Although the photo is slightly faded, you can still clearly make out the reflection in the glass of a black funeral carriage tied with elaborate ribbons. The back of the photo reads in very elegant script, Week of Oct-11-1896.

Although the photo was pricey, I splurged and bought it. Little did I know at that time, I had found the inspiration for my first paranormal, a short, called Antique Charming.

When I finally held the photo in my hand, I was in love. It was then that a thought struck me. What if a very lovely woman who is just starting out in her own funeral care business, buys this particular funeral home, determined to restore it to its former glory? And what would happen if she were to receive a visit from the very handsome man in the photo who still claims to own the funeral home?

This is how Antique Charming came to be. I am now constantly asked why this story is so short. My reason is because Antique Charming was never meant to be a full length novel, but simply a delightful bite of paranormal romance to be enjoyed by the reader in a short period of time. Perhaps at some future time I will speak with my publisher about lengthening it into a full novel. But for right now, my photographs are beginning to speak to me again and inspiring me to write another paranormal tale.

Antique Charming is available at: Books to Go Now Publishing.

Natalie-Nicole Bates is a book reviewer and author.

Her short paranormal romance, Antique Charming, was published by Books To Go Now Publishing in October 2011 and her contemporary romance, Change of Address, will be published by Secrets Cravings Publishing in January 2012.

Her passions in life include books and hockey along with Victorian and Edwardian era photography. Natalie contributes her uncharacteristic love of hockey to being born in Russia. 

She currently resides in the UK where she is working on her next book and adding to her collection of 19^th century post-mortem photos.

Visit Natalie-Nicole online at www.natalienicolebates.com