I like surveys (sometimes)! But this one I did take because I felt it was important. (Not politics or social reform important, but eBooks important). It's easy to do also. Here are the details!
The All Romance team is exploring issues about DRM and sharing. It also asked some questions about how you read your eBooks (Kindle, iPad, print them out, whatever...)
Also I've decided to start posting at least every other day (my goal is daily) and not just goofy self-promotion stuff, but a short story here and interesting stuff I find in my research there. So check back often!
So, why the focus on hybrids? Well lots of stories feature hybrids of
mythological creatures. (I am a personal
fan of the vampire/werewolf blend.) What
is the fascination with hybrids? Let’s
find out:
First the definition of hybrid (I love the dictionary, can’t
you tell!)
Good ole Merriam-Webster defines a hybrid as “an offspring
of two animals or plants of different races, breeds, varieties, species or
genera; something heterogeneous in origin or composition.”
Let’s look at some ‘real’ hybrids:
·First, the liger is a mix between a male lion
and female tiger. This combination equal
really big kitty cat. I always thought
these hybrids were sterile, but I found in my research that this isn’t the case. Despite health problems, the child of a liger
and a lion lived to adult hood.
·Another hybrid I did not realize was a hybrid
was the killer bee. Apparently, someone
released some Tanzanian bees into some hives somewhere in South America. After that, it was viola – Killer Bees.
·A Grapefruit is the hybrid product between a
sweet orange and a pummelo!
·They now have an apple that tastes like a grape
creatively coined as a Grapple.
There isn’t that much
to say about hybrids; however, I will touch on some of the ways hybrids are perceived
within stories or movies:
·A hybrid can be seen as stronger and more
dangerous than the original species it originates; on a different spectrum, it
can be a defective mix that creates something sick and twisted.
·The hybrid can show a mixture of attributes of
the two species or one species can be dominate.
Those traits can also be evenly distributed.
·Lots of the times a hybrid is a human mixed with
a mythological creature. Most of the
times these mixtures make something that is just as strong the mythological
creature but does not have the weaknesses noted in the mythological creature.
In Chronicles of JJ, hybrids are taboo, but at first it isn’t
because they view each species as inferior or dirty. It changes to reflect such a belief, but at
first it is due to fear from a prophecy.
All it takes is for one nine-year-old child to speak a prophecy and the
world turns upside down. A glimpse of
the effects are revealed in State of
Unrest. Coming out tomorrow
(8/31/12)!
Until then, here are some links!
Eve Langlais (If you haven't read Bunny and the Bear, you should!) Kresley Cole Dana Marie Bell Evangeline Anderson (It's not a witch, darkling, vampire or changeling, but in Pursued (The Brides of the Kindred) the hero is a hybrid of two aliens. It's too good not to read!)
Matthew cupped her cheek and he kissed
her gently on the forehead.“Abigail,
what is it that you want to know?”
“Why are you going against society, all
for a wolf that you do not know?”
“I have watched my wolf for three days,
as she made herself a piece of the background, attempting to shrink from view
of others, hide amongst the shadows that could never dampen her beauty. I watched you run last night, your blonde
wolf howling at the moon as she chased her prey through the woods, and I felt
pride today as you spoke for the first time silencing everyone. I know we do not know everything about each
other, but that is our way. I already
know that I love you, how could I not love my other half.”
As the release for State of Unrest draws ever closer...Here is a small excerpt:
“The stories are true, only pure blooded
members of the species are allowed to exist?”
Nicholas looked at her in confusion, and nodded his agreement. Cecily allowed her beast to rise, the bobcat
bursting through, changing her in the blink of an eye. She reveled in the energy that bathed her as she
changed from human to beast. Causing
each nerve to tingle as her human body faded replaced with that of her feline
body. Nicholas reached down and petted
her head causing a purr to rumble through the night.
“Run, Little Cat. I’ll meet up with you after I dispose of our company.”
Cecily laughed to herself and bounded
through the trees only to re-circle and come back to climb a tree to wait and
watch.
Silly
man, I would never leave my mate in danger.
Find out more about Cecily, Nicholas, Abigail and Matthew in State of Unrest, Book 1 in the Chronicles of JJ series!
I’ve never actually come across this mythological creature,
and while I won’t spoil the story, I will say that Darklings are a made up
creature for the Chronicles of JJ.
Definition of Darkling (Merriam-Webster)
Darkling: Dark; done
or taking place in the dark
Darkling (definition from my website): species of paranormal creatures that are
often confused for demons/angels and fae type mythological creatures. They can blend with shadows. Does have fangs and most enjoy the occasional
drink of blood, but it isn’t required for their continued existence. Can be
killed with complete decapitation and/or injury beyond their restorative
capabilities. Body functions in much the
same way as a human’s. They have
increased sense of smell, sight and hearing.
Like most paranormal creatures in any world, they have increased
strength, stamina, and certain animalistic qualities that set them apart from
humans. They are able to meld with the
shadows, thus the coined term, darkling.
Everlasting scientists believe that they are long distance cousins of the
Vampire. Like most Everlastings,
darklings have what most refer to as destined mates, but they refer to them as
their bound or bonded.
When I did a web search for Darkling (Google, of course) I
found the following:
·Urban Dictionary: A term used in the movie
"The Covenant", to describe
imprints of dead people that show up in the middle of the night and scare the
crap outta you! (IMDb page for the Covenant)
Therefore, they are often confused with demons, angels and
other fae type mythological creatures, so we will start there:
Demons:
From Merriam-Webster: an evil spirit, a source or agent of evil,
harm, distress or ruin. (Such a bad
rep!)
In most cases, we see demons as denizens of HELL! Though we mostly have the negative connotation,
some authors have actually made demons the good guys in some cases, for example:
Each in their own way have made demonic like creatures more ‘human’
for a lack of better terms. Check out
their websites for some awesome reads!
In addition, Eve Langlais has quite the unique vision of
Hell! I enjoy her series Welcome to
Hell! Her demons are, well they are
demons and despite their murderous and sometimes psychopathic ways, you just
want to...Oh, hell you just want to do naughty things with them!
Angels:
From Merriam-Webster: a spiritual being superior to humans
in power and intelligence; especially one in the lowest rank in the celestial hierarchy.
The good guys or so we consider them. I am rather fond of the movie Legion, because
it makes Angels almost human (What a Twist!!!).
No, I’m not talking religion, I try to stay away from that, but I am
saying that in an artistic sense this was an interesting interpretation. There are many books with Angels as the
Hero! Therefore, here are some top
searches:
This broad category includes elves and fairies! There are so many variations of these types
that it would be hard to discuss the ins and outs of the Fae. So, here is a link: http://www.trueghosttales.com/elves-fairies/ This is actually a cool website full of
paranormal information and what not!
Don’t forget
that State of Unrest releases August 31, 2012!
