THE HEALING MAGIC OF LOVE

The magic of love is right up my alley.  I write romantic suspense, often with wounded heroes who are doomed to a lonely and perhaps bitter existence.  But one magical thing saves them–the love of a woman with the guts and determination to break through the shell they’ve built around themselves.

That’s one of my recurring themes, and it’s never been more evident than in my current Decorah Security novella, CHAINED.

Only this time, my heroine literally has to bring my hero’s body and soul back together.

The story starts when Isabella Flores flees from armed men trying to kill her.  When she arrives at the ranch her father owns near Sedona, Arizona, she’s attacked by what she thinks is a ghost.  Not just any ghost.  He’s Matthew Houseman, the man she loved and lost eight years ago.  Back then he was her Decorah Security bodyguard, and she was too young for a relationship with him.  He attacks because he doesn’t recognize her at first.  When he realizes who she is, he reaches out toward her.

At first Matthew’s memories of himself are dim, but contact with Isabella brings Matthew back to himself.

I had a great time with this story, writing increasingly more sexually charged encounters with a ghost.  And the more physical contact they have, the more he remembers about his life and their love for each other.

After he helps save her from the bad guys, he vanishes, because he’s sure a relationship with a phantom can only lead to a dead end.  He thinks she should marry and have children, all of which is impossible with him.

But she knows about the magic of Sedona, the vortexes in the area, the places of power that the native Americans have know about for thousands of years.

In nature, vortexes are created by wind or water.  Like the circular motion of a tornado or water whirling down a drain.

In Sedona, they are believed to be created by spiraling spiritual energy--locations where the conditions are right to facilitate prayer, meditation and healing.  Mystical, magical places, with an energy flow that exists in multiple dimensions.

The heroine believes the energy of the vortexes drew the hero back to Sedona, and she hopes that if she can get in touch with that energy, she can bring him back to life.

A long shot.  But I’m writing paranormal romance, after all.  With a real-life rationale.  And I hope I’ve made you believe magic and reality can merge.

This story was a little different for me.  I often write about mythical creatures.  Werewolves and dragon-shifters.  This time it’s about the magic of a place.

What’s your favorite kind of paranormal romance, and why?