Tuesday, May 17, 2011

When The Real World Seeps Into Your Paranormal with Kiki Howell



In the real world, I’ve always been a champion for the underdogs.

In the real world, I guess it is not surprise that I married a man who now teaches a class he created called, Crossroads – a class designed to help students understands differences in others, specifically differences of race, religion and sexual orientation.

So, in the real world, in my house, we discuss injustices and prejudices such as racism, weightism, etc. a lot.

In the real world, the idea of stereotypes gets under my skin, and I have a real problem with uninformed people who would rather remain ignorant and judge others than to learn about or exercise an ounce of compassion toward a fellow human being who doesn’t look, think or act as they do. Let me also proudly mention that my husband just earned his doctoral degree, writing a dissertation that in part investigated how compassion could be taught in a classroom. It is possible if people would just listen. I mean *sighs* can’t we all just get along?

Stepping down off my soapbox, these ‘real world’ (are you sick of hearing that word yet? LOL) ideals and feelings often make brief appearances in my writing, but in my latest novel, the plot idea gave them more of a showing. Getting inspiration from an online computer game I heard a wife complaining that her husband played, I came up with a combined paranormal/fantasy world where sorcerer’s and wizards didn’t get along due to the differences in their magic.

In a world like this, I was able to show the evolution of a hero and heroine, ones who could, when forced to work together, try to find a way to overcome their stereotypes to make way for attraction. Although, as we know from said real world, the romance of such individuals is not easy when family and friends, their prejudices, continue to get in the way.

So you see how my real world ideals creped into my paranormal one, how, dare I say, some of my own thoughts were easier to spout off given my main characters were all paranormal :) No, the story isn’t all doom and gloom or even preaching, but a lot of action and magic, sexual tension and family quarrels, spells and even sexual magick – the real world just seeps through in a couple of poignant lines. *giggles* Was bound to happen, right?

Irreconcilable Differences, a novel

Blurb:

In a world where wizards and sorcerers do not get along due to differences in their magic, sorcerer, Aaron is hired to guard the wizard, Myleana. However, the attraction between them once locked in an unusual lab under his own wall of protection ignites in otherworldly ways.

When they come under attack and all they believed in becomes questionable, will these two remain separated by their world's prejudices? Will the lies, betrayals and opinions of even their own families stand in the way of the alchemy of sex, especially when sorcery and wizardry come into play?

Genres: Contemporary, Paranormal/Fantasy (wizard and sorcerer), Erotic, Romantic Suspense

Adult Content Warnings: Explicit Graphic Language and Sexual Magic


CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE AT AMAZON: Print $9.99 & Kindle $2.99

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE AT BARNES & NOBLE: Print $9.99 & Nookbook $2.99

Would you like to win a print copy of

Irreconcilable Differences?

Leave a comment on this spot with your email address

13 comments:

StacieDM said...

I love enemies to lovers stories. The tension and animosity lead to explosive situations. I like to see the couple develop feelings for each other.

user1123 AT comcast DOT net

RFTC Blog said...

This looks like a great story. Would love to win a copy.

iqb99@yahoo.com

Jen B. said...

I would be really interested to read how you keep it all in balance. It can be hard to balance the real world with the fiction. There is an author I love who usually does a pretty good job. In her most recent book she gets a little too preachy about gay issues but I understand that it is a reflection of her real life bleeding through. Besides, I love her writing style so I can forgive it. Thanks for the contest.
jepebATverizonDOTnet

June M. said...

This sounds like a great book. I love enemies to lovers books, lots of tension and drama.

Thank you for the giveaway.

GFC follower: June M.
manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com

Estella said...

Sounds like a great story!

kissinoak at frontier dot com

Megan@Riverina Romantics said...

Great post! The class sounds great even if it is fictional. People need to get over their stereotypes!

rpptml1 AT hotmail DOT com

Tanya1224 said...

I know exactly what you mean about prejudices in the real world. I dealt with it growing up with my dad. Now I have my own family and we're raising our son to not have any prejudices towards anyone. I do however like to read a book where either enemies or characters with prejudices come together. It's a challenge. I'd love to win a copy of your book for my kindle. Please count me in =)
Tanyaw1224(at)yahoo(dot)com

Catsy86 said...

Kiki,

It is a sad fact that we have so much hate because we are not all the same. It is also a shame that so many people refuse to open their eye and see that despite our differences, we are all human. Unfortunately, I think that is because they want to stay in their safe cocoon of black and white or because they consider themselves better.

I am very interesting in seeing how your ideal play in your novel. Also, ss there anywhere I can find your husband's dissertation on compassion in the classroom?

Meredith said...

Since our household is multi-generational, we have quite a few conversations (arguments? haha) about stereotypes and prejudices. I wish some had more understanding that even with all of our differences, we're all still people.

meredithfl at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

I would love to a copy of this book, it sounds like it would be an intriguing read and one thst I would really like.

book_lover6983@yahoo.com

lindalou said...

I also love enemies to lovers stories... AND I love books about magic: sorcery & wizards... Woohoo! Your hubby's class, Crossroads, sounds wonderful too... Thanks for the giveaway!
Linda T.
lindalou(at)cfl(dot)rr(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Would love to win! Going camping and this book would be great to read in my hammock! LOL
Peace
BTS1957@hotmail.com

Unknown said...

the story was so amazing enemy to lovers wow.. that was cool..
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