The Divining Wand

What a day — or more — for a daydream in the summer heat of July. In fact it feels like the perfect time to wonder “what if” The Divining Wand possessed magical powers and could grant authors, who create their own magic with “what if,” the following two questions:

Based only on their writing, what author would you want to be?

AND

If given the opportunity to have written ONE book in your lifetime, what would that title be?

~ Allie Larkin (Stay):

“I have a fascination with Willa Cather. She had an amazing life, and I have so much respect for her as a woman who made a career of her writing in the late 1800’s/early 1900’s. But based just on writing, it’s obvious that Willa Cather loved her characters, and had an intense appreciation for the landscapes she placed them in. I think her writing process must have been a celebration of the elements of life that she loved and admired most.

“Just one? Can I cheat and say the title of that book would be MY ANTONIA PLANTS THE BEAN TREES THAT GROW IN BROOKLYN WHILE LISTENING TO THE SONG OF THE LARK, AND TRIES NOT TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD OR PROVOKE THE LORDS OF DISCIPLINE? (I tried to fit OF MICE AND MEN in there too, but it was just ridiculous.)”

~ Jessica Barksdale Inclan (Being With Him, Intimate Beings, The Beautiful Being):

“I think I’d have to stay with being myself. It’s all I can do in this lifetime.”

“Okay, this I can do. Pride and Prejudice, no question.

The description beneath Jessica Barksdale Inclán’s name on her Red Room Blog identifies the author’s writing as, “Some say heartfelt and honest, some say Harry Potter for adults with sex.” What a creatively versatile author who publishes contemporary novels, short stories, poetry, essays and now paranormal romances. Her latest offering, The Beautiful Being — the third and final book in the paranormal romance trilogy which includes, Intimate Beings and Being With Him — will be released tomorrow, September 29th, and is certain to please current fans as well as attract new ones…including possibly you.

Ah, but you don’t read paranormal romance. What about The Time Traveler’s Wife or any of books in the Harry Potter series?

According to Wikipedia: Paranormal romance is a sub-genre of the romance novel. A type of speculative fiction, paranormal romance focuses on romance and included elements beyond the range of scientific explanation, blending together themes from the genres of traditional fantasy, science fiction, or horror.

Paranormal romance has its roots in Gothic fiction. Its most recent revival has been spurred by turn of the century technology, e.g. the internet and electronic publishing. Paranormal romances are one of the fastest growing trends in the romance genre.

Describing the literary genre of The Beautiful Being is as simple as that, however to present the final book of a trilogy in a coherent and intriguing manner requires a bit more explanation. And Jessica’s following answers go a long way in revealing that.

Q: How would you describe your paranormal romance in 10 words?
A: The world will end if they don’t find each other.

Q: What is your backstory maxim for the trilogy?
A: You may think you are alone, but your soulmate is there. Just wait.

Q: How would you describe perfect happiness for your characters?
A: Finding peace by finding each other. And peace is happiness, pure and simple.

Q: What are their (the characters) greatest fear?
A: Never finding one another–living life alone and in a perpetual state of longing and quest.

Q: What are your most overused words or phrases?
A: One novel, I had a character “biting her lip” and “chewing her cheek” over and over again. Frankly, it is a miracle she had a face left after the story was over.

Q: If you could acquire any talent, what would it be?
A: Speaking fluent and impeccable French.

Q: What is your greatest achievement?
A: My two boys, though all I mean by achievement is actually pushing them out into the world. The rest is really all about them.

Q: What’s your greatest flaw?
A: I am the most impatient person on the planet Just writing this sentence took too damn long.

Q: What’s your best quality?
A: I am interested in everything.

Now here’s The Beautiful Being Synopsis:

“They are here among us…

Far from home, gifted with special abilities, hunted for their powers. And they are desperate to find their other, the one who completes them…before it’s too late…
Together, anything is possible…
As leader, Eden Mirav must protect his people from the enemies who wish to destroy them. Despite his extraordinary abilities, Eden has not been able to locate his double—the one person who could make him whole and help him control his remarkable power to age himself with a simple thought. With her, he can grow even stronger. Without her, he is doomed to an uncertain fate. Just when he’s about to abandon all hope, she stands before him in the blazing hot sun of the desert like a shimmering mirage…

Recently rescued and freed, Ava Arganos has been working in the desert—and waiting for the day that her double finds her. When Ava first lays eyes on Eden, she doesn’t recognize him immediately even though she feels the charged, sizzling connection between them. Now united, Eden and Ava surrender to a fiery, explosive passion that only renews their bond as they combine forces to battle their most treacherous foe yet…”

Rather than “show” instead of “tell” more about this novel, please view The Beautiful Being Book Trailer and then read an Excerpt from the novel.

In Jessica Barksdale Inclán’s Bio you’ll discover that a few of her credits are: internationally-known author, a finalist (debut novel Her Daughter’s Eyes) for the YALSA Award for the best books of 2001 and best paperbacks for 2001, and an instructor for on-line and on-land creative writing courses for UCLA extension. Jessica has also studied with great women writers, including Sharon Olds, Anne Lamott, Kate Braverman Grace Paley, Marjorie Sandor, and Cristina Garcia.

Jessica is an amazing talent and now, having written the final book to her trilogy, says: “I love science fiction, fantasy, alternate worlds, and paranormal romances allowed me to play in that field for awhile. It was a challenge, a stretch, and I do feel that it helped me grow as a writer. Whether or not I will publish more paranormals remains to be seen! Currently I am working on a novel that is more like my first six, contemporary women’s fiction. And essays, too. It is all good.”

The Beautiful Being will be available for purchase tomorrow at your local bookstore or at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Powell’s and other online retailers. However Jessica has generously offered three sets of the trilogy as a Giveaway! Remember the mention of how you too could become a fan? Now here’s your golden opportunity to win the complete set for yourself, a friend or a family member. To enter, please leave a comment on this post between now and Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. EDT. The winners will be announced in Thursday’s post. And to quote Jessica, “It is all good.”