What is it about deliciously dark paranormals that we love so much? Does Rhyannon Byrd, author of Touch of Seduction and Touch of Surrender, have the answer: Come over to the dark side… We have cookies alphas! 
Rhyannon wants to know YOUR answer — for a chance win 2 signed books from her Primal Instinct series!
by Rhyannon Byrd, author of Touch of Seduction and Touch of Surrender (HQN Books, April 2010 & May 2010)
My daughter saw this slogan printed on a T-shirt the other day, and I thought it was so great that I had to use it in one of my upcoming books. The slogan not only cracked me up, but it made me start thinking about the paranormal romance genre, since it’s often considered the “darker side” of romance. But what is it about these deliciously dark paranormals that we love so much? Paranormal romance has become a vastly popular genre, and there has to be a reason, right? That certain “something” that makes a reader reach for one of these sinfully seductive titles…and then keeps them coming back for more. So I’ve been thinking a lot about what that “something” might be….
In my own experience, both as a reader and as an author, that “something” would have to be the genre’s devastatingly sexy, irresistible alpha heroes. I have two new releases out this spring with HQN, and one of the things I love most about these books is that they both feature paranormal bad boys—one a tiger-shifter…the other a Lycan—and I’m thrilled to say that these guys are two of the most wicked, provocative heroes I’ve ever written. Not to mention incredibly alpha…and protective…and utterly devoted to their women, which means I can’t help but be crazy about them.
Of course, there’s so much more to paranormal romance than just its wonderful heroes. In fact, there’s a whole range of “somethings” that can draw a reader in, from the genre’s rich world building and its scorching sensuality, to its often kickass heroines and edge-of-your-seat danger and suspense. But then, that’s what makes this genre so compelling! There are so many gripping, fascinating aspects of a paranormal story that can completely hook a reader, luring them into the shadows….
Tomorrow is the official release of TOUCH OF SURRENDER, the 5th book in my Primal Instinct series, and I’m so excited!! Nervous, too, as I always am before release day, but I’m really looking forward to sharing Kierland and Morgan’s story with you guys. So, to celebrate, I’ll be giving away a signed set of my two new releases, TOUCH OF SEDUCTION and TOUCH OF SURRENDER, today! All you have to do to be eligible to win is post a comment about what draws YOU to paranormal romance. To make it fun, I thought we could create our own “dark side” T-shirt slogans by replacing the second part of the slogan with whatever it is we love most about this fascinating genre. For example, my T-shirt might read:
Come over to the dark side… We have wicked, mouthwatering alphas!
So now let’s hear yours! 
I’ll choose one winner from all the names who complete this slogan…
Come over to the dark side… We have _____________________!
And if you haven’t come over to the dark side of paranormal romance yet, then give it a try! There’s a whole world of captivating characters and breathtaking love stories just waiting to tempt you into the darkness.
Wishing you all the very best!
Rhy
Note: contest is now closed. Dawn was the lucky winner! Dawn, please see Rhyannon’s comment on how to contact her to claim your prize.
Come over to the dark side…we have bite!
or…
Come over to the dark side…we have predestined mates! Lol.
Hey Sharon! I love that “…we have bite!” That’s perfect!!
~Rhy
Hi Rhyannon. Love your books. What draws me to paranormal romance is the great creatures we get to “meet” and the fascinating worlds that we get to “visit”.
Come over to the dark side, we have heart pounding adventures.
Thanks, Crystal! I’m so thrilled you’re enjoying the books!
And I love your “heart pounding adventures!”
~Rhy
Great post, Rhyannon. When I started reading paranormal romances, I found that I lost “my heart” much faster to the darker, sexier heroes than those in mainstream romance novels. Thus: Come over to the dark side, we have your heart.
Thanks, Dawn! I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. And I love your “…We have your heart!” That’s such a great way of phrasing it…and it’s so true!!
~Rhy
Come over to the dark side. We have flashlights.
Sorry! It’s not very good but I wanted to get my entry in : ) I’m hoping it’s a random drawing, heheheh.
Love your books, Ms. Byrd. Can’t wait for Touch of Temptation!
Thanks, Spark!! And LOL about the flashlights!
~Rhy
Come over to the dark side…. we have magic.
I love paranormals. I am reading one right now.
Come over to the darkside we have hot men with hot stories!
Not a writer. Can you tell? lol
Lisa
Gina and Lisa, those are great!! Thanks so much for posting!
~Rhy
come over to the dark side…we have someone just for you
I really like that one, Amanda!
Thanks so much for posting!
~Rhy
Come over to the dark side… We have a hot fierce vampire woman who can bite you and lick you all over.
Come over to the dark side… We have the unexepted .
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Come over to the dark side… we have animal attraction on a whole new level.
Come ovr to te dark side we have cookies.
Come over to the dark side. . . we have men who know how to unleash the beast.
Come over to the dark side…we have sharp, penetrating romance.
Come on over to the dark side . . . we have fangs and know how to use them.
What a great bunch of choices!
or, hey how about this one?
Come on over to the dark side . . . you’ll love the way we use our swords.
Come on over to the dark side… we have the best suckers around. They know just the right kind of bite.
I hope this one works. Anyway, wanted to tell you Rhyannon, I LOVE your books. I just finished Touch of Surrender. It was fabulous. I read it cover to cover. Fantastic book and can’t wait for the next one.
…We will take you to the edge and then beyond.
come over to the dark side. we have the better type of men
Come to the dark side…we have immortality.
I like the often twists and unexpected turns in the plot.
Come over to the dark side… We have many secrets to share.
Come over to the Dark Side … We have seriously Herculean Hot Heros with a little something extra!
Rhyannon, love your series. Can’t wait to read your latest book!
Come over to the dark side… We have boys with bite!
Hot, sexy guys with a wild shifter side, or a vampire’s romantic sensuality are what draw me to paranormal romances
Come over to the darkside, we have Spike, Angel, Eric, Edward on speed dial!
Ok, hedging my bets now…..
Come over to the dark side, we have 70% dark chocolate… and its calorie free
What an awesome list!! I pulled up the blog first thing this morning and had such a blast reading through all the new responses. You guys rock!!
I think we’ll be closing the contest down later today, and then we’ll post the winner. Yay!
Thanks so much for all the wonderful posts…and Alexis, I love that bit about the swords! LOLOL!
Hugs,
Rhy
Come over to the dark side… We know how to make you scream!
I love paranormals, there is just something about those heroes lol
Loving this series, Rhy! Can’t wait to see Touch of Surrender in my bookstore.
Come over to the dark side… We have temptation waiting for you.
Those are awesome, Ashley and Deb!! Thanks so much for posting!
And I so agree about those heroes. Yummmmmy.
Hugs!
Rhy
I started reading paranormal romance after a longtime favorite romance author of mine delved into the genre. What kept me into it, even after she stopped writing paranormals, was the intense relationships between an alpha male and the woman he claims as his mate. And with paranormals, you get multitudes of different species and worlds, and you get to see how they interact with each other and with the oblivious humans around them.
So, come over to the dark side… We have everything you ever thought was real but were afraid to let yourself believe.
I really love your “dark side” slogan, Adrienne!
Hugs,
Rhy
Hey guys! Once again, I just wanted to send out a big THANK YOU to everyone who posted! I had an absolute blast reading your wonderful slogans, and really enjoyed all the different explanations that were given for why paranormal romance is one of our favorites!
I had my family help me with the drawing…and we have a winner. Yay!! So many congrats to DAWN who came up with the slogan: Come over to the dark side… We have your heart!
(Dawn, please write me at rhyannonbyrd@gmail.com with your addy, and I’ll get your prize in the mail.)
Wishing you all the very best!!
~Rhy
Woot! How exciting! Thanks Rhyannon. Sending you my address right now.