Saturday, December 17, 2011

THE WORLD OF THE PARANORMAL - INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the wonderful world of Paranormal Addicts. Chelsea invited me to put together a forum where we can talk about all things paranormal. I will be giving away books and swag today and you'll have an opportunity to talk about what it is that makes you LOVE the paranormal! So, here are some guidelines to help all of us enjoy the forum and try not to get too lost... BTW, you guys are all my guinea pigs, since I've never tried anything like this before:

1. I will be posting a total of five blog posts for discussion starting at 9am PST and ending at 7pm PST on Saturday, 12/17/11. You will have two hours on each one to get involved in the discussion. Then, at the end of that particular discussion, I will call time and award a prizes to one of those commenters.

2. You are welcome to comment on any of the posts during the day for a chance to win a grand prize at the end  of the day.

3.  Because we're trying to keep this open to everyone, we are restricting comments to PG-13 please... if you want to get raunchy, then send me an email... you know where I live!

4. HAVE FUN. That's the most important rule of all. This is supposed to be mostly chatting about our favorite genre, what thrills, scares, or excites us about all those wonderful ghoulie creatures out there, so just enjoy! xxxooo Minnette :o)

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THE WORLD OF THE PARANORMAL - DEFINITION
Definition: Paranormal is a general term (coined ca. 1915–1920[1][2]) that designates experiences that lie outside "the range of normal experience or scientific explanation"[3] or that indicates phenomena understood to be outside of science's current ability to explain or measure.[1][4] Paranormal phenomena are distinct from certain hypothetical entities, such as dark matter and dark energy, only insofar as paranormal phenomena are inconsistent with the world as already understood through empirical observation coupled with scientific methodology.[5] Wikipedia

PART ONE - THE SHIFTERS
PRIZE: eCopy of IMMORTAL WARRIOR by Lisa Hendrix (1st book in the immortal viking series)
TIMES UP: 11:00AM

Werewolves, shape shifters, Manimals, mermaids/men
The shifters and half-animal/half-humans are gaining in popularity in modern fiction. Werewolves have been with us for many years, but men or women that shift into other creatures help us explore our inner beasts. Here are some questions for you:

1.      If you could shift into any creature you wished, what would it be and why?

2.      How many books or authors can you name that write about shape shifters?

3.      Besides those listed above, can you think of other shifters not mentioned?

44 comments:

  1. Good morning everyone... Get a cup of coffee and help us play in the paranormal world today. Don't be afraid to ask questions or opinions of the group, review books you've read, tell ghost stories or whatever else you'd l like to talk about. This is your forum! Have fun! M:o)

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  2. Oops! That was suppose to be "... opinions on the comments..." not of the group! :o)

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  3. I'll go ahead and answer the first question for me: I would shift into an eagle so I could fly. That would be so cool!

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  4. Haha, I know, I haven't gotten my coffee yet - I've been cleaning up email and sifting through facebook, sheesh!

    Ok, I would shift into a werewolf, because they are fast, fierce, and I'd be warm (I live in the Pacific Northwest, and it's cold right now, lol)
    Gena Robertson
    robertsongena@hotmail.com

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  5. Morning Minnette! Sorry had to go let people know about our party today *grins*

    1. I would shift into a Dragon... I'd rather be scaly than furry and Dragons are SCARY lol ;) And if men make me mad? I'll just breath fire on them!


    2. I can name probably a TON on the shapeshifters but I don't want to take away the fun for everyone else so I'll just go with Ilona Andrews and her Kate Daniels Series ;) There's Curran the King of all the Shapeshifters whose one scary lion ;)

    3. Lions, Panthers, Dragons, Coyote just to name a few!!!



    *waves to Minnette* Thanks so much for joining us today! I can't wait to see everyone's answer :)

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  6. Hi, Gena! ~waves~ You're probably right... all that fabulous fur! :o)

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  7. 1.) eagle or a wild cat
    2.) too many to even start naming:P

    I will probably be gone for most of the day today:(

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  8. Hi, Chelsea! Thanks so much for having us over today... LOVE your blog! Ooo, didn't think of a dragon. That would be fun! I forgot to list some others too: bull, horse.. I just had a thought: wouldn't it be funny to be a horse during the day and someone captures you to ride. What a surprise it would be when you changed right under him! :o)

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  9. Hi, Bama! That's okay... I'm so glad you stopped by. I know a lot of people are shopping today. I like the wild cat idea!

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  10. fortunately I am not shopping today... going to a college graduation later today:(

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  11. Aw, the dreaded graduation... No finer torture has been dealt by man. Have fun!

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  12. Authors that I've read that write about shapeshifters:

    Keri Arthur
    Larissa Ione
    Christine Feehan
    Heather Killough-Walden
    Nicky Charles
    Felicity Heaton

    You are a new to me author, Minnette! I can't wait to read some of your books!!

    Gena Robertson
    robertsongena@hotmail.com

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  13. Oooo... some great ones there, Gena! Hey, no time like the present! LOL The Belle Stalker is available on Kindle, Nook, or any other ebook format... Just saying. My editor beats me if I don't try to sell books! Mean editor... :o)

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  14. knowing me I will sneak out of the venue to go read:P

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  15. I wish I could stay and play, but it's the hub's birthday today, so I have to be popping in and out at best (if I can sneak away)...
    Have fun everyone! Was great meeting you, Minnette, and thank you, Chelsea! Always love chatting with you, girl!
    Happy Holidays, one and all!
    Gena Robertson
    robertsongena@hotmail.com

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  16. Same to you, Gena! Thanks so much for stopping by! :o)

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  17. Morning Minnette - Which animal is a hard one!!! Wolves would blend in, but people tend to shoot first. Dragons are too mystical, but ohhh the fun that could be had...Bird - nope don't do it for me, though the flying would be awesome! No I'm thinking whatever I pick it would be a larger predator, fearsome. But to make me choose, nope can't do it.

    Toni

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  18. Too funny, Toni! Large predator... how about a killer whale?

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  19. Minnette, yes a dragon :D There's some really good ones, like Katie MacAlister (silver and light dragons) really good books ;) Of course there's lots more like one from Gena Showalter ;)

    That would be hilarious on the horse ;) I would chortle so hard to be a horse and then get "rode" and then change on him ;) haha! I can't imagine the look on his face ;) Hmm new story Minnette? I'll play a horse shifter *grins*

    *waves to Beth* aww no fun! You should definitely sneak out and read :) All day you'll be gone? :) Minnettes going to be here till probably hmm I think 10pm EST LOL :) well on and off at least :)

    Thanks Gena for stopping by and having fun with us ;) Minnette is an excellent writer! I haven't gotten to read all her stories yet but I read her Centariun (sp?) one and she's very good so I'm looking forward to my others, whooohooo :) Love chatting with you as always too! hehe! We seem to find each other all over don't we? :)




    Hi Toni! ;) Yes Wolves are nice too but hmm they do tend to get shot! And they just don't seem like they could protect you as well as a mean dragon ;) You should pick a Lion dear.. have you gotten a chance to read the Kate Daniels series? OMG, you'd <3 Curran! ;) he's just so delicious ;) Almost as delicious as Barrons ;)

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  20. well at least most of the afternoon and early evening...

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  21. thought of another animal I would pick.. the Phoenix

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  22. I first ran into shape shifters a few years ago. They have become very popular. I once had a dream that I was either a bird or flying like a bird. I could see the ground and feel the wind and everything. It was amazing. So, the dragon is very tempting. But so is the wolf, the totem thing.

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  23. Oooo... Like that one, Beth, but you have to burn up once in a while. That can't be comfortable. :o)

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  24. My totem is a cougar, Shanon. Now that would be interesting! :o)

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  25. I just remembered the name of the author that introduced me to the shape shifter: Susan Krinard, Lord of the Beasts, I think.

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  26. I don't think I'd like to burn lol ;) Shanon the dragon would be fun :) But what is the totem? like each persons animal? I totally wouldn't want to be mine, which is a squirrel lol can't imagine I'd be too frightening chirping away at people :) And Shanon you do know there's a Lord of the Beasts in the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews too ? :)

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  27. I haven't heart of her... I'll look her up. Lisa Hendrix has her immortal warrior series. It immortal vikings who are cursed to live forever until they can find a talisman and a woman to love them. They shift into their "totems" (can't remember the Nordic name) every night or day, depending. Anyway, it's an amazing series...

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  28. Interesting on the talisman :o What IS their totems? is it like a wood carving of a bear or something?? or is it alive so to speak? lol :) I haven't tried Lisa Hendrix yet but I do love immortal series.. I like Highlanders better but I do like some Viking ones and that definitely sounds intriguing enough!

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  29. The series is amazing... Can't wait for the next one to come out... A "totem" is the animal spirit that represents you, at least in native American legend. It's very similar in the viking tradition... I'd have to look it up or have Lisa tell us.

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  30. Ohh nice a continuing series? LOVE those! some of my favorites are series lol XD I just can't get enough ;) Hmmm that's interesting on the Totem, so its almost like your own spirit where others can't see it, but its yours... That's a very interesting way to do it :D I love unique stories ;) Yours are just like that too :) What are some of your favorite paranormal books Minnette? (besides the lovely Immortal warrior series LOL) ;)

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  31. Nope killer whale...hmmm....nope not that one either. Knowing my luck, my whale butt would end up at Sea World. I have read that one Chelsea. She wasn't even on my radar. MUST.ADD.HER! Cougar would be nice, all stealthy and quiet.

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  32. Hey Minnette, Sorry I'm late to the party, been a wacky week!

    Ah but I love everything paranormal so this might be hard...


    1. If you could shift into any creature you wished, what would it be and why?

    Hmmm, there have been many interesting choices mentioned, but why should I choose just one? I'd rather be one of those people that can shift into anything that they want. That way I could soar like an eagle when I wanted, or purr like a panther, make people believe in unicorns and dragons again, and just enjoy that moment.

    2. How many books or authors can you name that write about shape shifters?

    A lot. It would take me hours just to go through the ones on my keep shelf that do, so I will just name a few off my nightstand, Kerrelyn Sparks, Lori Handeland, Susan Sizemore, Rhyannon Byrd, Lorie O'Clare, oh and lest I forget Sherrilyn Kenyon.

    3. Besides those listed above, can you think of other shifters not mentioned?

    I have read a lot of panther shifters stories over the years, and were tigers and were bears, and I just got this interesting book about a were-wolf female who finds herself mated to a were-bear and a were-jaguar--I can't wait to read that one.

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  33. Now Ilona Andrews is on my list. Here I thought Kate Daniels was the author, me bad.

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  34. Hiyo~ Might be late for this but I'm gunna post here.


    1. Cat More to the point black panther. I've had a fascination with a black panthers ever since I was young.

    2. Sherrilynn Kenyon, Patricia Briggs, Lora Leigh, and there's more I can't think of right now

    3. Not at this moment.. xD

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  35. Being a dog lover I would definately have to go with wolf as the type of shifter I would want to be.

    Man I read so many different books about shifters. Some authors that come to mind right now are Dana Marie Bell, Charlotte Boyett-Compo, Shiloh Walker, Lauren Dane, Vivi Andrews, Vivian Arend, Ashlyn Chase & Moira Rogers.

    I've read books with Bears, Pumas, Lions, Centaurs, Cougars & Swans.

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  36. Toni, you mean Lisa's series I must add? Will do! ;D And LOL @ the Killer Whale comment, I'd totally come bust you out of Sea World dear! ;) LOL Toni, yes Ilona Andrews, Kate Daniels series.. she's like OMG one of my favs.. if you love Barrons, well you'll LOVE that series.. that is actually a Husband/Wife writing team by the way :)


    Christiana ohhh good point, like an all around shape shifter? Great answer :D Isn't Kerrlyn Sparks Vampires though? *scratches head* :D if not I'll have to go back to re-read lol :) and Ohhh you got that one book by Eve Langlais right? the were-bear/were-jaguar ;) I read that one a few months ago, its excellent :)



    HI Christina! :) ohh black panther! *purrs*


    Don't forget guys we'll have new posts every two hours with new questions/polls :D I can't wait to see what Minnette has planned :D

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  37. Kathryn ohhh those are some new names for me for Shifters, and I'm a huge shifters fan :D I'm so glad this is on my blog LOL! I can save this board forever and write/stalk the names you guys post here! :D Exciting :)

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  38. Sorry... had to get some breakfast put together...

    I love Sherrilynn's stuff, but have read bunches. I don't know where to even begin.

    Hi, Christiana! Love your idea of being whatever you want. Wouldn't that be sweet?!

    Hi, Yami! You're absolutely on time, girl. I love black panthers. I think they are the mostly graceful creature alive... oops breakfast calling... be right back!

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  39. I love black panthers, they are graceful and beautiful creatures Minnette! <3 They have always caught my eye, and I'm happy to say even when I was a kid, i wanted one as a kid.. you can tell how thrilled my parents were about that xD;

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  40. Okay... it's 11... The winner of Lisa Hendrix's book is..... Bama!!! Congrats girl... drop me a note with what format you want and I'll send it over... now onto the next section.. The Spirits...
    http://paranormalbooks.blogspot.com/2011/12/spirits-ghosts-spirits-angels-demons.html

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  41. Hi Chelsea, in the "love at stake" series by Kerrelyn, although predominantly vampires and psychics, you do have Howard the bear, and Carlos the Panther, plus you meet some were tigers, and even an angel in the last book I picked up. I liked that she mixed them in without overdoing it.

    Hey Minnette, What can I say, it makes more sense to me, I mean after all if you need to cross a river, why not change into something the swims good, if you need to travel far, why not fly like a bird, if you need to get somewhere that is hard to get to (like a cave for shelter, or escaping from something that's after you) why not a mouse, if you could shift into anything you wanted you could survive just about anything.

    ~Christiana~

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  42. Ohhh Christiana thanks for letting me know! I guess I'm a little rusty on my Kerrelyn books, then got swamped with reviews LOL ;) I'll have to pick them up again because I love shifter stories :) and even angels so that's interesting :)


    Minnette,Beth will be so excited :P she was upset because she had to leave and wouldn't be around to try and win the hourly prizes so I'm sure she'll be thrilled she won ;) I'll give her a poke lol :)

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  43. pdf? lol been meaning to pick up her books but never got around to do it

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