Monday, January 21, 2013

Valerie Parv & Superheroes

Today I'd like you to welcome the talented Valerie Parv to the blog! I really enjoyed her book Birthright - a great combination of sf and romance! :)

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Why we love super heroes
After I’d written Birthright, it dawned on me that I’d created a new breed of super hero called beacons. I didn’t set out to. I just wanted to explore these interesting people who popped into my mind, and happened to have abilities beyond our own.
The story started with my favorite question – what if? What if you had the ability to see anything you wanted to see? Instead of wondering how your parents or friends were doing, you could extend your special senses and “see” what they’re up to. Or see inside someone’s purse, very revealing. What if you had hearing that defies logic? Just by wanting to, you can tune in to a conversation in the next room, or listen to space and the music of the solar winds. What kind of people would have such powerful sight and hearing? Are they human? Where did their powers come from? How do they use their abilities? I won’t spoil the book by answering here. But I can tell you that finding out the answers was one of the most satisfying experiences of my writing career. After 70 books and millions of sales, that’s saying something.
I think we love super heroes because they represent the secret side of us nobody else knows about. Sure, we might be timid and ordinary-looking in real life, but inside lives the beautiful, powerful part of us; our brave, successful dream self.  Many super heroes have bumbling alter egos who may represent the “us” the world sees. But step into the phone booth or spin around at super speed and the “real us” appears to save the world. I guess that means the beacons are what I’d most like to be.  
If you had a free choice, what would your super power be? One comment will win a download of Birthright for Kindle or Nook, with a personalized “authorgraph” to make it…er…super special.
 
Valerie Parv is one of Australia's most successful writers with more than 29 million books sold in 26 languages. She is the only Australian author honored with a Pioneer of Romance award from RT Book Reviews, New York. With a lifelong interest in space exploration, she counts meeting Neil Armstrong as a personal high point. So it's no wonder she's taking romance to the stars and beyond In Birthright, her most ambitious novel yet. She loves connecting with readers via her website valerieparv.com, blog valerieparv.wordpress.com, @ValerieParv on Twitter and on Facebook.
About Birthright
Former police officer turned deputy governor, Shana Akers, is used to handling high-stakes situations. But after learning that a space shuttle mission about to be launched from her island home may have a shocking secret agenda, she must turn for answers to the man who has challenged her mind and emotions for years.

Scientific genius and space center director, Adam Desai, is a truly self-made man. Found adrift at sea as a baby, he knows nothing about his origins until two VIPs attending the launch force him to confront the truth about his past, changing everything Adam has ever believed about himself.

Faced with a danger that threatens the entire world, can Adam and Shana find the strength to trust not only each other, but the mysterious VIPs whose unusual abilities defy logical thinking? Especially when it becomes clear that they'll need all of their combined resources to reclaim humanity's BIRTHRIGHT.


Published by Corvallis Press USA 2012.
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Super heroes are tons of fun! I think I'd choose super travel powers (like beaming!) to visit all the places in the world I'd love to see! How about you?

45 comments:

Old Kitty said...

I'd not like a someone with a super power to see through my clothes! LOL!!!

But seriously!! Love that Shana and Adam have to work together in an explosive encounter to save their world! All the best Valerie! But with 29 million books sold already... WOW!

Take care
x

Maria said...

Hi Jemi, Hi Valerie. On Saturday, I went to the bank. I noticed it was a nice sunny day and I clicked a picture and straightaway posted it from my phone to Facebook. I live in India. My mother in Irelalnd saw the picture. You don't need to be a superhero nowadays to have awesome powers. In the bus on the way home, I chatted on the net from my phone with my cousin in Ireland and my nephew in Shillong, which is a very long way off. Sci Fi is becoming a reality nowadays, at the lick of a mousse we can know what omeone is ding.

Desere said...

Great post Valerie and Jenny! And yes you did create a all new awesome breed of hero!

TashNz said...

Hi Jemi, Hi Valerie. @Maria, I love your take on superhero powers :)

I wish for the ability to de-friend all my family on Facebook... it seems to me I find out all my family news on there instead of by conversation face to face, emails, letters, texting... I love my family but I wish (with all my might) I found out stuff the "old fashioned" way :D

TashNz said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Hi and thanks for commenting.
Old Kitty - I dislike the full body scanners at American airports. Just the thought of a stranger having that power...I'm with you. No.
Maria, great point. We already have many things that would once have been considered "super" like flying & skyping.
Thanks Desere and host, Jemi, for your kind words about Birthright.
And yes TashNz, sometimes it's good to meet in the real world now and then.

Well it's 11pm in Australia while you're all just waking up. I'll come here again tomorrow my time to see more comments. Night!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

What geek doesn't dig superheroes?
I think I'd take invisibility. And yes, I'd really try to use it for good...

JeffO said...

I have a strange brain--I found myself wondering about the cost of superpowers, as in, what physical or mental toll does it take on the bearer?

If I had a superpower, I think I'd take flight.

Jemi Fraser said...

Old Kitty - LOL - so true - I don't want that either!! :)

Hi Maria! - so true! I really do think our sf stories/shows/movies have impacted our world of today and made many of those superpowers reality!!

Desere - Valerie sure did! :)

Tash - what an excellent wish!! I (still) haven't joined FB - and that's one of the reasons!

Valerie - I just watched the end of the Aussie Open match between Raonic & Federer this morning - wish the times were closer! Have a good night :)

Alex - I'm sure you would! :)

Jeff - not strange at all - so many stories have super powers come with a cost - it makes it much more of a challenge! :)

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

Traveling at the speed of light would be most helpful to me, although I frequently feel like I'd love to be invisible! :)

Congrats on "Birthright!"

Natalie Aguirre said...

Great guest post. I think many of us secretly wish we were superheros. Good luck with your book Valerie, It sounds great.

Beth said...

What an exciting premise! Good luck to Valerie

LD Masterson said...

I like Alex's idea of invisibility, but I think I'd like to be able to be two or more places at one time. Think of the internal conflicts that would solve. :-)

Anonymous said...

Good luck to Valerie! I do like scientific geniuses, both as good guys and as the bad guys.

Michael Di Gesu said...

Hi, Jemi, Hi, Valerie,

CONGRATS on your book, Valerie.

Super powers would be such a gift. I with you Jemi, I'd like to beam myself anywhere in the past, present, and future.

Unknown said...

Sounds right up my alley. Love SC.

All the best, Valerie. Great interview Jemi :)

Anonymous said...

Good morning (well it is in Australia) 8am and promises to be hot. Alex - invisibility is a popular choice, wonder if it's because we could act without being accountable?
Elizabaeth - traveling at lightspeed would be close to invisibility, wouldn't it?
JeffO - good question. Everything has a cost, why not superpowers? Being a writer is a superpower IMO but "costs" time, energy and struggle.
Natalie and Beth - thanks, enjoy the book.
LD Masterson - cute! Identical twins in my town often cause that kind of confusion LOL
Stephen and Michael - thanks, and yes, I WANT a transporter too.
Wendy - thanks for commenting.
*Waves to Jemi*

Jemi Fraser said...

Elizabeth - with you on both counts!!!

Natalie - I really enjoyed it - great characters!

Beth - it is! Unique and fun!

Linda - LOVE that idea!! Perfect :)

Stephen - they do make for such interesting characters!

Michael - wouldn't beaming be great? We could meet all of our blog buddies!!

Wendy - it's an entertaining story!

*waves back to Valerie* :)

Anonymous said...

I just realized I'm blogging while occasionally playing with the toy talking Dalek my agent gave me for Christmas. The real world is kinda dull after that.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Sounds like a great book, but I don't think I would want that super power.

Jemi Fraser said...

Valerie - I want a Dalek too!!

Susan - some super powers are very scary - I think I'd refuse most of them :)

Anonymous said...

I enjoy stories with super heroes. If I had a superpower, I'd like to be able to move things with my mind.

DMS said...

This sounds like a fascinating book! I love the idea of the super power to see things. I have always wanted the super power to fly. Thanks for sharing.
~Jess

Jemi Fraser said...

Medeia - that would be a fun one! It would also drive my family crazy! :)

Jess - it is! Flying would be very cool - the freedom and the speed would be incredible!

Anonymous said...

Cool drink break time here, very hot.
Thanks Susan, hope you read Birthright soon.
Hi Medeia, moving things by mind would be cool but scary to others LOL
DMS and Jemi - flying appeals to me, too. In Melbourne, I went into a glass box that slides out from the side of the city's tallest building, nearest feeling to flying. I loved every minute.
I have a great agent, Jemi, to send me a Dalek. Been with Linda Tate for 20 years this year. She's judging a contest to find the best view of Birthright anywhere on the web by end January. Link is http://valerieparv.wordpress.com/2012/12/20/tips-for-writing-a-good-book-review-and-a-contest/

Jemi Fraser said...

Sounds great Valerie!

Lisa Gail Green said...

Oh that's awesome! I love superhero stories. I've even written them. ;D I couldn't choose a superpower, but I'd be lying if I didn't say I dreamed about that what if when I was a kid. Or maybe more recently too...

Jemi Fraser said...

Lisa - they are a lot of fun! I bet you'd like the ability to duplicate yourself to get more done right about now :)

nutschell said...

great to meet Valerie! her book sounds interesting!
Nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com

Romance Book Haven said...

Hi Valerie, Hello Jemi!

It was great reading this post! I'd like so many super powers, it boggles my mind! But the one I'd like most is the ability to do the housework with a flick of the nose a la Samantha!

Nas

Jemi Fraser said...

Nutschell - I really enjoyed it :)

Nas - Super powers are fun! I REALLY like that one! I think I'd have to change my mind and go with your choice :)

Cynthia Chapman Willis said...

Wonderful to meet Valerie and read about Birthright. Super powers are fun, but how does anyone choose just one??? : )

Jemi Fraser said...

Cynthia - so very, very true! Although the housework nose tweak might be in the lead for me! :)

Elliot Grace said...

...great interview, Jemi. This bookworm's interested ;)

El

Jemi Fraser said...

Elliot - good to hear! Hope you're doing well :)

Martina Boone said...

I think seeing into someone's purse would pretty much be my favorite superpower. :) That's such a great exercise for character building!

Seriously, you are dead right about why we love superheroes. It's the flip side of the Cinderella myth. We are someone more special inside than on the outside, and someday all those people who didn't see us for who were really are will recognize our awesomeness. (But meanwhile, we'll be humble and unassuming and we'll save them anyway, even though they don't deserve it because WE ARE truly AWESOME ON THE INSIDE :))

Great post!

Jemi Fraser said...

Martina - I love that!! We really would save them anyway - that's why we're true superheroes! Love it :)

Michelle Wallace said...

Hi Valerie and Jemi!
The story sounds interesting! Love the cover.
If I had a super power? Mmm, it would have to be musically-related since music is undoubtedly THE universal language which has the power to unite people like no other medium... so maybe the power to devise a one-of-a-kind musical instrument with healing properties and a distinct sound which would transcend time and space... something along those lines...

Jemi Fraser said...

Michelle - wow! That's an awesome super power!! What a lovely thought :)

Rosalind Adam said...

I love the sound of Adam in Birthright. If I had a super power it would have to be one that would make everyone stop fighting, stop hating and bring an end to war.

Jemi Fraser said...

Rosalind - that's a wonderful one! Wouldn't that be awesome!! Adam is a great character - it was fun watching him grow :)

Jackee said...

Cool book! I totally would want to teleport. I love to travel but hate the time it takes to do so.

Nice to meet you, Valerie!
Hi, Jemi! Happy Sunday! <3

Jemi Fraser said...

Jackee - teleporting would be completely awesome! Imagine the places we'd go and the people we could meet! Love it :)

TerryLynnJohnson said...

sounds like a fun read for sure! thanks!

Jemi Fraser said...

Terry - any time- and it is fun! :)