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by eden

What I learned from paranormal romance books

July 5, 2012 in Paranormal Romance Books

Source: Fanpop.com

Like all other girls my age, I had my love affair with paranormal romance books throughout my early teenage years. Vampires held me captivated in every way. I dreamt of finding my own Edward, only he was a Coal, of course.

After the infatuation wore off, I took a break from vampires and wizardry and started reading post apocalyptic books, since they hit a little closer to home. After some time away from the paranormal romance books, I realized that, as silly and fantastical as they might be, there’s also a few things you can learn from them.

My fleeting obsession with vampires taught me that a person’s quirky characteristics reveal a lot about them. A propensity to never come out in

daylight? Red flag number one. A fetish for sleeping in coffins? Red flag number two. A thirst for blood? Definitely strike three!
What I’ve also learned from paranormal romance books is that true love can overcome any obstacles whatsoever—100 year age differences, different religious and educational backgrounds, time and space, among many others. While adventure romance novels (another favorite genre of mine), tend to have extreme obstacles in their story lines as well, paranormal characters can get past what seems like the most insurmountable ones possible.

Another thing I’ve learned from my former hobby: opposites attract. This is another similarity that’s prevalent in adventure romance novels as well, but in paranormal, the differences are even more extreme. Night owls with morning people, meat eaters and vegans, pale faces and tanning addicts—you get the picture.

Who knew there was so much to learn from witches, werewolves and vampires? As I grew up a little, I started to realize that my hobby was a little bit silly, so I started reading classics from the Old World and moving away from books with such incredulous fantasy elements. While I could always relate to Bella in her quest for her love to pan out, I also realized that having a knight in shining armor with such incredible speed, strength and other skills just wasn’t realistic.

Now I like to read post apocalyptic books. They’ve become my new favorite because I feel like there are actually things I can take away from the stories. They still provide me with an escape, but I can really relate to their dsytopian settings and circumstances, and they give me a little glimmer of hope—and that’s why we read, right?

by eden

Tossing out all my fantasy romance novels

June 29, 2012 in Fantasy romance

Source: rantingsonthebay.blogspot.com

I used to be very practical about the whole mating thing. I knew there was potentially a romantic apocalypse in my future, so I approached it all from an unemotional standpoint. But my mom would tell me that love really existed—she swore that it did, even until the day she died. Then I started reading fantasy romance novels, and before I knew it, I was starting to have my own foolish pipe dreams.

This “one” people tell me of, the soul mate everyone dreams of, would have to be another Pearl in my world. No Coal in their right mind is going to settle for a lowly Pearl, let alone be attracted to our stark white skin and bad genes. Even in young adult books, you don’t really read about people from polar opposite classes having an easy time of it—and those books are so fantastical. When they do have a successful relationship, it gives it a whole fairy tale vibe, the whole happily-ever-after ending of fantasy romance novels. But life is never like that.

There was one time when I thought I may have met someone who would be my perfect mate—or like they said back in the day, “the one.” He was from the ruling class and never saw me without Midnight Luster. He told me I was beautiful, but I am not sure if he really meant it. I know how guys can be, especially when they’re from a higher class (which is everyone but me!). But I swear I felt a spark—until the rest of the story turned out to be just like the storyline of a series of post apocalyptic books.

I gave in and let myself surrender into this fantasy. I felt like the protagonist in one of these oh-so-popular young adult books, an empowered woman who is attractive and in charge of her own life and decisions. I stopped listening to that little voice in my head, the one that told me to be cautious and to remember my place in the world. I was on the verge of a romantic apocalypse and anyone could take advantage of my state of mind.

Then it happened. I found that none of it was real. This Coal who I thought was so special was really trying to use me for information about my father’s experiments. He was so convincing, he would have been an award-winning actor back in the old world. I should have known.

For now, I’m tossing all of my fantasy romance novels and replacing them with post apocalyptic books. The more depressing and hopeless, the better. I can relate to their stories and then see that little glimmer of hope at the end and wonder if I have the ability to end up like the protagonists in these books do—maybe not happily ever after, but happy enough. And alive.

by eden

Eclipses and adventure romance novels

June 1, 2012 in Adventure romance tips

Sopurce: psychedelicadventure.blogspot.com

We have a rare eclipse on Monday—a full moon eclipse during the “supermoon.” It’s interesting to me because it seems like a lot of adventure romance novels deal with themes of either a full moon or an eclipse. Some books even have either in their title.  It’s like there’s a fascination with the power of the moon. I’ve met people who believe it can give you extraordinary powers while others think the moon it can cause mood swings or even crazy behavior. They say that the crime incidents increase and jails overflow during full moons.

Lunar eclipses occur when the sun, full moon and Earth are perfectly lined up so that the moon crosses through the shadow of Earth. This one in particular occurs two weeks after the solar eclipse, and in the middle of a rare Venus Occultation, so this window of time right now is a powerful one of transformation. Apparently, we can use this period to change our lives. It makes sense then that so many books, particularly paranormal romance books, use this in their plot to explain or attribute supernatural powers and magical forces.

Astrologers say this is a time to focus on what you want out of life. This has really got me thinking less about all my adventure romance novels and more about reality. In her astrology column, astrologer Kristin Fontana states “This period of time could very well represent life altering changes of direction on the path after re-thinking what you now need at this point in your life or you could experience surprise calls, emails or  visits from people from your past as Venus is retrograde in the middle of it all. Everything that is unresolved is making its way to the surface for you to review, refine and work though if necessary which will just about guarantee personal evolution.”

Obviously, this makes me think about my situation with Jamal, and the bigger picture of the Save the Pearls campaign. It makes me wonder if I can really make a difference. Is it possible to have the same kind of influence that characters in paranormal romance books have during a full moon or eclipse? If so, how can I tap into it?

I honestly think that we could all avoid a romantic apocalypse if we do something to help our class as a whole. Of course, that’s why I started the Save the Pearls campaign—I really thought that just a few of us could make a difference. Now I’m wondering how to take this little window of time to make something happen. I have so little time left myself and it’s making me look for any sign of hope.

Whether I escape the fate of my romantic apocalypse or not, I hope that someone out there has the power to change the fate of all the Pearls. Whether we use energy from the moon and stars, an underground network or we get help from the outside, one thing is for sure—we’ve got to do something.

 

 

by eden

The best romance fantasy novels of all time

May 24, 2012 in Post Apocalyptic Books, Romance fantasy novels

Source: weirdthings.com

Since I love to escape into romance fantasy novels and science fiction and fantasy books, I figured I should make a list of my absolute, all-time favorites. That way I’ll know which ones to pack in case the Uni-Gov comes knocking on my door. I’ll need some material to keep my mind distracted when I actually do have to escape. I know not what the road ahead of me has in store, so if I have a few romance fantasy novels, at least I’ll be able to have a place where I can get into a fantasy state of mind.

For awhile, I was really into paranormal romance books, so yes, I did follow the masses and check out that old classic Twilight series. I admit, it’s a favorite. I’d take it with me if I had the room.

Another of my favorite paranormal romance novels is Vampire Academy. A boarding school where vampires learn the ways of magic? Sign me up! St. Vladimir’s Academy sounds rad to me. Plus, the forbidden romance is pretty delicious.

Since I love science fiction and fantasy books, I was thrilled to find one with some romance woven in. Gifted with mysterious powers and pointed ears, Analia is held captive in a world she doesn’t belong in, When she escapes and hides on a merchant ship, she meets and starts to fall for a devastatingly handsome demon who has the power to save her. It’s a really cool and unique story, with graphic, way out there elements that take me to another world, as well as all the romantic twists and turns that set the best adventure romance novels apart from the rest.

Those are probably the only YA novels I’d have to take with me. As much as I love YA, there’s something about the classic fantasy romance novels that makes you want to keep re-reading them. A perfect example is F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. It’s the ultimate tale of jealousy and obsessive love. Witnessing Gatsby’s attempts to win back Daisy’s love is just so sad and riveting—it’s like you want to look away but you just can’t.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, a sort of remake of one of the most famous romance fantasy novels by Jane Austen. The idyllic town of Meryton is transformed into zombie mayhem by a mysterious plague. As the dead come back to life, we get to see a new kind of butt-kicking Elizabeth Bennet—she’s a sword-throwing zombie assassin. We follow the same story of her romantic tug o’war with the super arrogant Mr. Darcy. I’d bet he’d be a Coal in the New World.  All the fun of the best adventure romance novels but with more blood than you would ever imagine.

I think the absolute greatest of all fantasy romance novels is Gone With the Wind. I could read this book over and over again. You want to strangle Scarlett so many times throughout the book, to make her see what’s she about to lose and get her to stop with the self-sabotage. I love the ending, bittersweet as it is. It’s so easy as a reader to fall in love with Scarlett and her ability to survive, you want so badly for her to finally find true happiness. If I only could take one book with me, this would be the one.

Adventure romance novels can help you find a mate

May 11, 2012 in Adventure romance tips

Source: longnightsilentcries.blogspot.com

I know about the surge of popularity in dystopia right now. Heard all about it, read all about it—it’s everywhere. Yet while many Pearls bury their noses in post apocalyptic books, they could be reading something that could actually help them with their plight. Yes, dystopia is something we can all relate to, but if you really need an escape, you may as well have it be through something that can help you as well. It’s all about multitasking in this apocalypse world!

So put down the apocalypse world novels and focus on the task at hand—finding a mate. If you truly find it necessary to partake in the primitive act of reading, then pick up something you can get insight and tips from: adventure romance novels!

Yes, adventure romance novels can be silly, but you can learn about the push and pull that so many relationships endure before taking the big step of commitment. You can see how a romantic hero woos his heroine, and how she holds out a little and doesn’t give him the whole package all at once. Reading these types of books can allow you to see patterns that occur and what to expect when you think you’ve found the one.

The difference is, this is the one who may save your life. It’s more important than anything else right now.

When I was younger, I used to love post apocalyptic books, but now I realize it’s just because I could relate to the settings and worlds they took place in. Plus, I appreciated the plight of the protagonists. But since I already live in an apocalypse world, I’m not really going to learn anything from those types of novels. I soon realized that if I wanted to learn about relationships and how to catch myself a mate, I needed to pick up a few series of adventure romance novels so I could see how this mating thing was done. While they can be really sappy and unrealistic in some ways, they also taught me how to behave if I wanted certain reactions, and more importantly, how to attract others and be an appealing mate.

Once I put down the apocalypse world novels and urban fantasy books and picked up the ones about romance, I became a male magnet. Luckily, I’m a Coal, but I still truly believe that people of all races and classes can benefit from reading about romance, even Pearls. Plus, it’s a much more optimistic form of literature—while I love the darkness of apocalyptic books and most urban fantasy books, reading about love and happily ever after gave me a little bit of hope and an actual escape from the evil world ours evolved into after the Heat came. I truly think it made me a more positive and confident person, which in turn, helped me get where I am today—MATED!

Home sweet zombie-defense-station

April 13, 2012 in Urban Fantasy

Source: Netfreestuff.co.uk

Let’s say you wake up smack dab in the middle of a post apocalypse world. There’s a catastrophic rising of the undead, criminally insane or terrorists in full effect, and they’re lusting after tasty human, American blood—like yours. Or worse yet, you’re a Pearl and missed your mating deadline—sneaky Uni-Gov reps are stationed outside your home, waiting for the right moment to nab you, just like the peeps at the Save the Pearls headquarters warned you about. Either way, the state of the nation is right out of a zombie film or one of those urban fantasy books you’ve read. Let’s hope you were smart and safeguarded your home in advance.

Now’s the time—with a little thought and some creativity, you can protect your home with class and style. Your goal is to create a defense station slash arsenal that is completely impenetrable, while stocked with enough supplies to keep you alive for months. If you get ahead of the game, you may even be able to stockpile enough in-house entertainment to keep you sane—like a stash of video games, DVDs and young adult fantasy novels. Obviously, only a rare few will have the time and resources for that luxury.

Location, location, location. Your home’s locale is of primary importance. The urban fantasy is over—you want to build your home in the most remote area possible, like on a mountain, deep in the woods or in the desert. Ideally, it will be compound style, a la Dennis Hopper’s famous abode or the infamous Neverland ranch, with a lot less whimsy, of course. In a post apocalypse world, zombies and the undead tend to focus on areas with large human populations, so living in an area with few neighbors decreases your appeal and improves your chances of survival.

Fencing. No, I’m not referring to archery, I’m talking narly fences that the undead will not be able to climb or break through. Your fence should be too high for an agile Uni-Gov rep to leap over and with a surface too smooth to gain traction on and scale.

It’s a material world. Build your walls and doors out of concrete or metal. While your house will look like it belongs in the setting of one of your favorite post apocalyptic books, it will be a fortress that no one will want to take the time and effort to permeate. There’s something to the old adage, “Looks aren’t everything.”

Windows. What windows? This is no young adult fantasy novel you’re living in, you’re in the most real-life manifestation of Darwinism ever imagined. At the most, you’ll build a tower at the highest point of your house, with a tiny window that allows you to see who or what is heading in your direction—and enough of an opening that you have room to shoot or hurl a Molotov cocktail at who or whatever is trying to infiltrate your safety zone.

Potable water. In the event of a zombie outbreak, you’ll need your own potable water supply. The water treatment plant could be overtaken with undead, so it’s best to build a well on your property and develop some sort of filtration system. Keep your in-house supply stocked at all time in case the Uni-Gov is sneaking around outside your grounds, ready to pounce. The less you go in and out of your house, the better. Stay inside and catch up on reading those urban fantasy novels you stockpiled.

Powering up. Now is the time to go green. As you’ve probably read in many post apocalyptic books, the environment could be totally destroyed—but the sun always survives. Install solar panels immediately. It’s also imperative that you have a generator and plenty of fuel to keep it powered up.

Put these guidelines into effect and you’ll be able to keep the undesirables out, whether there’s a horrific zombie takeover, terrorist attack or in case the Save the Pearls campaign fails. How’s that for giving shelter an entirely new meaning?

 

Prepping for a real or romantic apocalypse—the safe house

April 12, 2012 in Urban Fantasy

As we move through 2012 and the masses obsess over a zombie takeover, the end of the world or a romantic apocalypse, recommendations and schools of thought are basically erupting out of the woodwork. There are zombie survival panels, shows like Doomsday Preppers, and in essence, even we have succumbed with our creation of the Save the Pearls movement.

Source: zombiesandtoys.blogspot.com

While fans of Zombieland, The Walking Dead and post apocalyptic books dream of surviving a zombie apocalypse, it seems like many manufacturers are getting savvy and taking advantage of the vast marketing opportunities. Everyone has an idea of the best place to go, the best weapons to stockpile, and how to best slay a zombie. Yet in the meantime, why not take a cue from Doomsday Preppers and use the time we have now to prepare for the supposed END?

Just like everything in life, for truly successful survival, one must be prepared. Instead of burying your nose in fantasy and adventure books, take this time to put those key skills you learned in girl scouts or boy scouts to use. From what I’ve garnered from all these “survival” guides, the most important thing, across apocalypse causes, is to secure a location where you will be safe and protected—in other words, a safe house.

As you should know from watching zombie films and reading post apocalyptic books, the last thing you want in the case of THE END is to be on the run. Those with a place to go have a significantly greater chance of surviving, as opposed to those on the streets, left to scavenge for food, exposed to the elements, and fend off the undead, terrorists or the Uni-Gov.

The necessity for a safe house is such a well-known concept that there have actually been Zombie Apocalypse Safe House competitions for several years now. Teams of architects who clearly have a penchant for fantasy and adventure books and films strive to create the ultimate safety zone. In Warsaw, Poland, a team of engineers created their aptly named Safe House, a building that turns into an impregnable concrete cube at the touch of a few buttons. Versions have been constructed across the entire gamut of possibilities— from compact extending shells that can be carried on your back complete with potable water systems to entire fortified neighborhoods complete with electrified lawns and zip lines.

Anyone harboring apocalyptic thoughts should take a look at some of these fascinating monstrosities designed to keep threats away. These disaster-proof, self-supporting designs boast everything from independent ecosystems, solar panels and greenhouses to rainwater collectors, built-in weapons arsenals and canals.

Whether you choose to turn your house or basement into your safe house, or team up with your entire community to create an ominous bunker, either way, if you want to survive a terrorist, zombie or romantic apocalypse, you better start working on your zone.

 

by eden

Full moon—romantic apocalypse or fodder for adventure romance novels?

March 8, 2012 in Adventure romance tips

The full moon in Virgo is here. While our oh-so-lovely Ethics Officer blogged about whether or not a full moon is a sign of an apocalypse world, I was inspired to blog about the full moon’s so-called effects on love. I’ve read about in everything from adventure romance novels and astrology texts to science fiction and young adult books, but I still don’t know what exactly to believe.

Clearly, the full moon is often used to inspire paranormal and supernatural elements in many young adult books. Think of all the character who turn from humans into werewolves at the sight of a full moon or the psychic phenomena attributed to its presence. It’s also very prevalent in my favorite genre— fantasy romance novels. Characters often have their first kiss in the light of the full moon or realize that they’ve found the one due to the clarity it brings them.

The moon is illuminated partly by direct sunlight, and when it’s “full,” we get to see it in its brightest, fullest state. In a series of amazing adventure romance novels that I recently finished, the protagonist always sees more clearly when there is a full moon. It’s like the truth is illuminated when the moon is full. She achieves the clarity to really hear her inner compass and make decisions about the issues in her life.

In one of my favorite fantasy romance novels, the truth is revealed to the main character when the moon is full. She experiences her first real breakup when the full moon helps reveal her boyfriend’s true character. Luckily, or through serendipity, she also meets the next love of her life during a full moon cycle.

Other young adult books with more of a paranormal romance angle talk about casting spells or invoking spirits during the full moon. It’s thought that magic is most powerful on the night of the full moon, and that spells dealing with otherworldly energies are strongest during this phase. In fact, several occult traditions believe the only time to cast love spells is during the full moon.

Whatever the reality is, all I know is I hope this full moon brings my true love to fruition. I only have a few months left to mate and my relationship with my favorite Coal is kind of a roller coaster. Maybe I’ll cast that love spell… or find my own clarity in its light. I just know I can count on something happening when it’s here.

Source: Freewiccaschool.com

Valentine’s Day Gifts for an Apocalypse World

February 10, 2012 in Apocalypse World

With widespread rumors that we may find ourselves living in an apocalypse world any day now, it seems that Valentine’s Day gifts would not be a huge priority for people. Yet here at Save the Pearls, we disagree—what better way to show your love than to hook your mate up with some goods that will help them survive in an apocalypse world? Plus the fact that your mate will probably freak out and end your adventure romance if you don’t remember them on Valentine’s Day should be enough motivation to get shopping.

Since the apocalypse world will be completely different than anything we know, most people are going to have to change up the tools that get them through everyday life and that includes clothing. Forget about buying your love boxers, briefs or lingerie—from now on, it’s all about protective gear. Think about getting your mate a super protective SWAT vest or Kevlar neck protection to protect your jugular from zombies, rabid dogs and the like. Another sweet apparel-type gift that is sure to keep that adventure romance alive is a gas mask. This is the perfect gift for anyone expecting a terrorist attack or perhaps a birthday visit from the Uni-Gov. Plus, who doesn’t look hot rocking a gas mask?

More great gifts for your sweetheart can be found in the weapon category. We’re not talking about the type that can be found in the imaginary worlds of young adult fantasy books—we’re talking hardcore weaponry that will take out your enemy. Some great choices are crossbows and arrows, shotguns,l and for the gun shy, machetes. By getting your sweetie some weaponry now, before the apocalypse world is upon us, they’ll have the chance to master their technique.

Last but not least, a great gift for Valentine’s Day is a case of water purifying tablets. Remember, this isn’t going to be the world of young adult fantasy books and dystopian novels, where some force from above will bestow you with the gift of purified water. This is going to be a hard core world of dog eat dog, zombie eat zombie, coal eat pearl. Get ready!

Source: Blog.drawn.ca

Hot Jobs for an Apocalypse World

January 5, 2012 in Apocalypse World

Yes, it’s true—2012 is here and whether or not the apocalypse world is upon us, there are masses preparing for the worst case scenario. Since we’re in the habit of trying to save the Pearls, we’ve got an arsenal of strategies to prepare you for this science fiction and fantasy series of speculations that so many of you are most likely subscribing to.

Whether we’re overcome by zombies or the Coals unleash a plan to eradicate the Pearls, once the apocalypse world is in full effect, supplies are going to be scarce. At some point, when we start getting back on track with some form of society, we’re going to need some skills that are specific to this new world we’ll be living in. This means an entirely new career path for all those who want to survive—and those who dream of becoming authors of young adult fantasy novels need not apply. That MFA, degree in Art History or certificate in online marketing is probably not going to be too handy once we find ourselves fighting for our lives.

On all those sites like Monster, Craigs List and MSN, there are already a slew of what they call “recession-proof jobs,” and those for areas in failed economies, like the places where foreclosures were rampant. One of the number one post-meltdown jobs that will stand the test of all the atrocities any type of apocalypse world can incur is: Nurse.

It’s hard to think of what could be more valuable than a nurse in times of distress. Even those of you who had that dream of writing young adult fantasy novels can find some romance in nursing others back to health.

While all the best science fiction and fantasy novels lead us to believe that zombies will be out to kill and eat us all, we don’t know this for a fact. When was the last time you actually hung out with a zombie? In fact, the undead may need our help as well. That brings me to another hot career for the apocalypse world: Mortician. This will come in handy no matter what form the end of the world occurs in—whether it’s zombies, natural disasters or in the sad case that we don’t save the Pearls.

There will be piles of dead to embalm and prepare for funerals and eventual burials. Morticians will be critical to preventing the spread of whatever diseases occur in the aftermath. Plus, even when their lives are at stake, people are by nature very superstitious and will go to great lengths to ensure their loved ones receive proper burials. Not the most enticing career, but fundamental to the survival of whatever is left of the population, and therefore, very lucrative.

Source: Medcitynews.com

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