What is dark romance?
Dark – A place or time with little to no light.
Romance – A feeling of excitement and mystery associated with love.
Greetings readers!
Today, I’m blogging about dark romance. Right now, it’s a hot subgenre in fiction with many authors jumping on the bandwagon.
First let’s discuss what is dark romance? Looking at the definitions above, perhaps we could see a feeling of love with very little light involved. I don’t mean actual light, but in a figurative sense. Perhaps you have a hero with questionable moralities. Think a vampire or maybe a demon. Or if you’re not going paranormal, perhaps a mobster, a murderer, or a bad cop who wears the badge as a cover for his true evil self.
Hmm, I like that idea. *scribbles notes down*
In truth there is no right or wrong answer for this. Dark romance can be as twisted as you want or slightly wrong. Some go to extremes, but others might take the easier way out.
However, all of this leads to the question. How can romance be dark? Romance is supposed to bring happiness. See the above definition that says, feeling excited. Well, that’s just it, right? You get excited about something that might be seen as unseemly or immoral. The characters enjoy killing, but they have a lover who understands him or her. One of the characters is aroused by what the hero or heroine does to them, etc. Lots of scenarios to explore. It depends on how far you and your characters want to take them.
When I Googled dark romance, this article came up first. You can check it out here.
For me, my dark romance involves some kind of torture. In my Immortals series, my characters enjoyed being beaten within an inch of their immortal lives. It excited them to endure tests and made them stronger individuals. In addition, their dark desires didn’t prohibit them from falling in love since each character found his Mr. Right or Wrong, if you’d like to look at it that way. Maybe wrong for anyone else, but perfect for the lead characters.
The story that holds true to this is Calisto’s story, which is book four, Calisto’s Quest. He was an angel but loved being rough or getting roughed up. Without giving too much away, he questioned his true calling because he loved someone who was the exact opposite of who he was. And although this being could lead him down a rough path, he still had feelings for him.
As time has passed, I’ve found I enjoy writing polar opposites, especially those with questionable morals. I love the element of the forbidden or taboo, which may turn off some readers, but I write what’s in my heart first. Dark romance seems to be right up my alley since quite a few of my books follow the formula of someone with questionable character falling in love with another who isn’t like him.
That being said, I’m looking forward to writing more in the coming months. I recently joined in on a secret project for next year that I’m totally stoked about. A particular story has been on my writing list for several years and like, Where There’s Smoke (under BLMorticia), it seems like the perfect opportunity to write this story.
I also have other works planned, including some offshoots for Immortals in 2019, involving side characters who asked for their own books.
Damn muses indeed.
What’dya know! For once, my likes actually match up with the market.
*grins*
Now it’s your turn to chime in. What is your definition of dark romance? Tell me about some of the dark romances you’re reading? They don’t have to be MM.
Thanks for listening to me ramble!
* * * *
Here’s the blurb and a snippet of Calisto’s Quest. If you haven’t read the Immortals, click here for links to all retailers. Books should be read in order!
Blurb: A battle between good and evil or does love conquer all? Conquest
For centuries Calisto and Valios had been frenemies, growing up in the ranks on two different sides. Over a mortal year ago, Most High granted Calisto one wish. A night with Valios, the Dark Lord’s son. By doing this, he thought Calisto would get over his fascination with the demon. However, Calisto developed feelings for the Soul Catcher that would never disappear.
Valios had lost out on true love in two instances, so he created a harem for himself to forget the pain. Though Valios has feelings for Calisto, his loyalty to his fathers’ Luci and Death must be upheld or he’ll face the wrath of both. Because of this, he’s kept his distance, ignoring his desire for one of High’s most prominent angels. Nothing, not even the commitment he seeks, is more imprtant than making his parents proud.
Once Calisto and Valios realize their emotions for one another run deep, they make plans to have children, which runs the risk of enraging their families and bringing punishment to both.
Calisto and Valios are long time rivals with a chance of gaining something more. Will they bypass it in order stay loyal to their respective sides?
WARNING: Rough sex, violence, and MPreg. Relationships that others might find objectionable. Books must be read in order.
* * * *
Calisto
In the days following our initial meeting, Valios and I kept our promises to one another. He’d give the signal and I’d go wherever he wished to go. Often times that was some place private, in the mountains, or we’d fly together to spots in The Realm. Nouvelle had yet to be developed, so unfortunately, I was unable to see where he would dwell just yet.
“I could take you to Hell, Calisto. My father’s garden is glorious.”
As we both stood at the line separating The Realm and Hell, I inhaled sharply and blinked. Listening to my friend talk about his father Lucifer, I grimaced. My father would not be happy if I visited, even if on friendly terms.
“I’m sorry, I cannot. Can you conjure up a picture of it and show me?”
Valios appeared saddened by my refusal. “It is only the garden, Calisto. I promise that he won’t hurt you.”
“I am sure you are right, but my father…”
“Your father doesn’t allow you to do anything! He’s a tyrant!” Valios yelled and turned his back on me.
“No he isn’t, Valios. He only wants what’s best for me.”
Valios shifted around, eyes gleaming. They changed from their normal bright green to iced blue. “My father doesn’t stop me from going into the heavens. In fact, he doesn’t care.”
“This is true.”
“So, yours should be the same. Calisto, I will not allow anyone to do anything to you.”
“I know, it’s just…”
“What, Calisto? We are friends, aren’t we?”
“We are.”
“Then let me take you to Hell… not where The Horde is, only to Luci’s garden.”
Because of my feelings for Valios, I wished to see where his fathers dwelled. I’d never been before, I supposed, because my father didn’t think I’d be strong enough to withstand temptation.
“Very well. Take me. It must be a quick trip though, so the others don’t realize I am gone.”
Valios smiled and took my hand in his. “I assure you, it will be quick and painless.” He wrapped his arm around my waist and flapped his black wings. He hurled the both of us off the side of this cliff and in moments, we were surrounded by nothing but darkness.
Scared out of my wits, I curled both my arms around him, holding on for dear life. I shuddered in his arms, hoping I hadn’t made a mistake.
“Do not be afraid, my angel.” Valios whispered in my ear and kissed the side of my face.
Though his words were soothing, I did not dare open my eyes. Before I knew it, I heard a loud crash and felt solid ground beneath my feet.
“We are here, my lovely.”
Slowly, I opened my eyes and noticed the beautiful greenery surrounding us. It looked very much like heaven, but the snakes filled the trees as if they were birds.
Watching the slithering creatures, I stayed close to Valios. I never liked snakes and being within such easy reach of them did nothing but fuel my nightmares.
“Go away, menacing things. This is Calisto. You will not hurt him or I will make sure to tear you all apart and leave you for dead.
Right then, the snakes disappeared into various hiding places and we started walking through the pathways.
Off in the distance, I noticed a large home, much bigger than my own or even Michael’s. It was made of stone, had many windows, and only one door, with a staircase leading into it. Surrounding the home were perfectly manicured shrubs with colorful flowers beneath. It looked to be the perfect home of a loving individual or family… not the demon we knew Lucifer to be.
“That is where my fathers live. I have sent them a message telling them of your arrival. Out of respect, they will keep their distance.”
I eyed him in surprise. “Really?”
“Really.” Valios ran his hand through my hair and curled several strands around his fingertips. “I am falling hard for you, Calisto. This time we’ve spent together has been wonderful. I wish to show you how good I could be for you.”
Hearing his confession, my eyes filled with moisture. “I am falling for you too, Valios. How this will work, I don’t know, but…”
“Shh. Let’s not worry about that now. We have eternity to figure that all out. For now. Let us enjoy what we have… our lives and our bond as friends.”
