Guestpost: "A Ghost Romance? Say it ain’t so!" by Julia Rachel Barrett + Giveaway

Filed in Giveaways , Guest Post , Julia Rachel Barrett , The Geeky Lover Posted on August 19, 2011 @ 6:00 am 25 comments

I’m very happy to welcome the wonderful Julia Rachel Barrett here at Book Lovers Inc today. She just recently published her first ghost story, Incorporeal, a heartbreakingly good romance that will grab you from page one and not let you go till the end. This book was a real pleasure to read. And guess what, today she will tell us about trying to sell Incorporeal and she even brought a copy along for one lucky commenter. So keep the comments coming, you don’t want to miss this one. 

When I pitched the outline of a ghost romance to three different publishers, they brushed me off before I could complete a single sentence.

“A ghost romance won’t sell. Nobody wants to read about an incorporeal hero.”

Incorporeal?

Those out of hand rejections shaped my story and provided a title. You know, we are fascinated by ghost stories, hauntings, the afterlife, and I wondered why on earth a ghost romance couldn’t be equally fascinating if handled properly. What if a ghost could become corporeal under certain circumstances? What if he could have a relationship with a living human being? How would his world work? How could his story end?
Here’s my take on paranormal romance and science fiction romance – build your world, make your rules, and as long as you don’t break your rules, you’re good to go.
Why is fantasizing about a ghost lover any less reasonable than lusting after a vampire lover or a shifter? None of these creatures exist in the light of day, but yes, they inhabit our dreams, our nightmares and our vivid imaginations.

I became enamored with the idea of writing a love affair that seemed doomed from the start. I was determined to create a world that allowed my hero, Natan de Manua, to become corporeal at times. The key was love, the love of a woman, my heroine, Sara. The more time Natan spent with Sara, the stronger and more corporeal he became. Neither he nor Sara understood why, how or wherefore, but they decided not to waste time wondering. They gave into their feelings and fell in love.

Love is the key, after all. I believe love transcends death. Sara, as a ghost seer, knows damn well it does.

Julia about herself:

I write erotic paranormal and contemporary romances for Resplendence Publishing, Siren-Bookstrand, Logical Lust, Cobblestone Press and Evernight.
I attended the University of Iowa as a creative writing major. Later I returned to school and became a Registered Nurse. I was born and raised in the Midwest, but I’ve lived, camped, hiked, traveled all over the United States. I am married with three children, a new puppy, three cats, two birds and two very lucky koi.
If I’m not writing, I’m outdoors, hiking, horse-back riding, playing with my puppy or at a baseball game!

Places to find Julia: twitter, facebook, website

About the Book:

Sara Wise is sick of ghosts. They’ve haunted her since she was a child, destroying her family, endangering her life. When an incorporeal being appears in her shower, she curses him soundly and orders him out, but this ghost is sticky. Not only does he invade her shower, he moves into her home, invading her dreams, sharing her bed. The reluctant Sara finds herself falling in love with a dead man.
Despite Sara’s objections, Natan de Manua isn’t permitted to leave. Protecting the woman is both his penance and his means to redemption. She’s not easy to protect, she fights him nearly every step of the way, except in her bed. Nathan may have come to regain his soul, but instead he risks losing his heart.

Amazon, Goodreads, Barnes & Noble

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~*~*~Giveaway~*~*~

Julia is offering an ebook copy of Incorporeal to one lucky commenter.

All you have to do is answer one of these questions:
*now with questions*

Do you like to read about ghosts? 
Do you have a haunting story to share? 

(You can read our full giveaway policy here)

Please leave us a way to contact you.
(Email in blogger profile or twitter name – no way to contact you – no entry).

This giveaway is open worldwide!

Giveaway ends on Friday August 27th and we will announce the winner on Sunday.

Good Luck!

Copyright 2010-11 Book Lovers Inc.

About Susi


Susi is a geeky vegetarian from Gemany. She just finished university and now works as a civil engineer in steel construction. Besides her reading addiction she also knits like a maniac while listening to audiobooks. Susi also blogs at the Secret HEA Society.

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25 Comments

Join the Discussion
  • nikkihasabookshelf August 19, 2011 at 8:11 am

    I would love to enter but I do not see what question to answer:( I read your giveaway policy as well.
    nikki oz
    gikkinikki30 AT yahoo DOT com

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  • A Buckeye Girl Reads August 19, 2011 at 8:16 am

    I adore books about ghosts!! I also didn't see a question to answer. My email address is buckeyegirlreads at gmail dot com

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  • SusiSunshine August 19, 2011 at 8:31 am

    Added questions.

    The first 2 get a pass cuz I messed up.

    *hides in shame*

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  • Julia Rachel Barrett August 19, 2011 at 9:00 am

    Thanks for having me, Book Lovers! I see the questions now!

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  • Karen C August 19, 2011 at 12:34 pm

    I would say that those publishers were extremely short sighted and I'm glad you were able to find one with vision.

    I do enjoy books about ghosts. Sadly, no haunting story to tell.

    I am taking a trip to Arkansas in October and plan to visit the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs. It's suppoed to be haunted and they have daily tours. I hope to take a tour, but the family plans on leaving me there..they aren't ghost friendly I guess. 🙂

    Incorporeal sounds like an interesting read. Thanks for the chance to win it.

    kacbooks(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  • caseywyatt August 19, 2011 at 1:03 pm

    I'm reading this story right now and it's as wonderful as it sounds. Another great read from Julia!

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  • Katalina Leon August 19, 2011 at 1:37 pm

    I love the premise of this book! Those publishers should have allowed you to finish your sentence… I think you're going to prove them wrong.
    XXOO Kat

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  • Julia Rachel Barrett August 19, 2011 at 2:03 pm

    Karen – sounds like a scary trip! I didn't find a publisher…just me!

    Thanks Casey and thanks Kat.

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  • Liz Z August 19, 2011 at 2:32 pm

    I love ghost stories! I look forward to reading this one, whether I win or not. It sounds very interesting 🙂

    Sorry, no haunting story to tell of my own – yet >:)

    eaz130@yahoo.com

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  • Karen C August 19, 2011 at 2:39 pm

    Ahh..

    I misunderstood. When I read "She just recently published her first ghost story..", I assumed publisher, not self-pub. Sorry. At any rate, I'm glad you are going to prove them wrong.

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  • Tessie Bradford August 19, 2011 at 4:09 pm

    Hi Julia! Incorporeal is already waiting patiently for me on my Kindle!! I wish you much success!

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  • Julia Rachel Barrett August 19, 2011 at 5:41 pm

    Hi Liz – I love ghost stories myself.

    Karen – Right – no interest so I did it my way!

    Thanks, Tessie! Enjoy!

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  • Jen B. August 19, 2011 at 5:44 pm

    I love ghost stories. I agree, if we can all moon over vamps (yep, I went there) then why not ghosts? My family has been to Gettysburg and few times and my husband has ever gone on the ghost tour. But, no ghosts. My friend went on the ghost tour last year and got pictures of something. I think they're ghosts! Thanks for the giveaway. The book sounds cool.
    jepebATverizonDOTnet

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  • Julia Rachel Barrett August 19, 2011 at 7:22 pm

    Thanks Jen! Gettysburg is a very interesting place. I imagine there are many spirits around, but seeing them is another matter!
    Yes, if we can dream about loving a vampire, why not a ghost?

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  • Bookwyrm369 August 19, 2011 at 9:22 pm

    I don't usually read romantic ghost stories but now I'm really intrigued by this one 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway!

    smaccall AT comcast.net

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  • JenM August 19, 2011 at 10:31 pm

    I love books with ghosts and necromancers, but I've always had a bit of a problem with the idea of a ghost as a romantic lead. After all, they are incorporeal right? However, it sounds like you've come up with a solution to that problem so I'd be very interested to read it. Best wishes on the book.

    jen at delux dot com

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  • Sandra Cox August 20, 2011 at 12:31 pm

    I can't agree with the publishers on that one. I think most women love to read about ghost romances.

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  • Julia Rachel Barrett August 20, 2011 at 1:27 pm

    Bookwrym and JenM – ghosts are obviously a tough sell, but paranormal in general began as a tough sell, so I'm willing to take the risk. Love will find a way!

    Thanks for the encouragement, Sandra!

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  • Wren Andre August 20, 2011 at 1:32 pm

    I agree with you 100% – make the rules & stick to them, and I say anything goes!
    I love your idea and it sounds like a book I would love to read – silly, silly publishers. 😉

    wandre3000@yahoo.com

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  • Tore August 20, 2011 at 8:03 pm

    I like to read ghost stories or even horror stories. Please enter me in contest. I would love to read this book. Tore923@aol.com

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  • Julia Rachel Barrett August 21, 2011 at 5:56 pm

    Thanks, Andre and Tore! I'm partial to ghost stories and the occasional horror story myself!

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  • Anne R August 21, 2011 at 9:11 pm

    I do like ghost stories. I really love going on ghost tours when I am on vacation, one of the best cities was Savannah, Georgia. Loved it!

    Great giveaway. Thanks.

    areeths AT new DOT rr DOT com

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  • Julia Rachel Barrett August 22, 2011 at 1:58 pm

    Ooh, Anne – ghost tours scare me! But they are so cool!

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  • Sugar August 26, 2011 at 12:03 pm

    oooh a ghost story? sounds interesting..

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  • Diana August 27, 2011 at 1:11 pm

    I haven't any haunting story to share, the truth is I don't believe in ghost and I haven't read any book with ghosts. Maybe it is time.
    Thanks for the giveaway.

    artgiote at gmail dot com

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