Sorry I’m late this morning guys. The truth is I didn’t have the slightest idea what to write about this morning and then it hit me. Cthulhu. Or, more accurately H.P.Lovecraft.  I grew up in a very Christian, Catholic environment, so role playing games like Dungeons and Dragons wouldn’t have been welcome in my household and H. P. Lovecraft certainly would have been seen as demonic.

When I met my husband I was introduced to the world of RPG’s, and with them there was a particular steampunk campaign’s based on Lovecraft. Now, I don’t play but do like to listen to each campaign unfold.

This particular campaign I believe coincided with the annual Halloween party which involved us watching The Call of Cthulhu. A black and white silent film produced by the H.P. Lovecraft historical Society.  I’d never heard of any of this stuff before. Then suddenly over the following years I discovered that fellow writers and friends had not only heard of Lovecraft but, had also read and based stories off of his themes.

So you’re wondering how this all ties into paranormal romance? I’ll tell you. Now I’m only focusing on a few of the common themes in Lovecraft’s work that are frequently used in romance.

• Forbidden knowledge anyone? Isn’t that what most villains have and are driven insane by?
• Inherited guilt. Who hasn’t used this? A character that has to make up for the sins of the past, never mind they are far removed. (In fact this theme maybe showing up in a short story of mine soon. )
• Race. Ethnicity and class. I really don’t think I have to explain this one do I?  Anyone seen The Underworld series? (Watched it again recently so it’s fresh in my mind)

You may not have read Lovecraft  but you most certainly have read or seen something that was influenced by him or by someone who thought like him.