Mimi B. Rose's Blog

4 Traits of Fated Mates

Have you heard of Fated Mates? Twinned souls or twinned flames? Fated Mates is one of my favourite paranormal romance tropes. It’s a delicious dynamic between lovers who are propelled together by fate, who may fight against their attraction, but eventually must succumb to the higher power of love. 

In Part 1 we talked about the background for this trope and a few of my favourite examples. In this post we’ll discuss 4 traits of Fated Mates in paranormal romance.

 

#1: Destiny

The first rule of the Fated Mates tropes is that destiny or a larger force is involved.  There’s a bigger piece–fate, or supernatural forces, or gods/goddesses, for example–working through these characters. This makes their connection go beyond just the two of them and adds a deeper significance in the supernatural setting. That’s one of the important aspects of the romance genre as a whole: we’re meant to see the love between the characters in any kind of romance is something bigger than just the two characters. In Fated Mates, this idea is taken to the extreme. It’s been destined by an external power and can’t be denied.

Then, half the fun of the story is figuring out how the characters are going to overcome those obstacles and end up together at the end.

 

Pin It Pin It #2: Love at First Sight

In the Fated Mates trope, there are always complications and problems that get in the way of the lovers, even if they might fall desperately and madly in love as soon as they see each other. 

The characters are going to doubt, they’re going to argue, and they’re going to resist. They’re going to do everything fight against those forces pulling them together, as they develop a relationship. 

We need a character arc for the story to be believable. In the Fated Mates trope, we get it in the ways that they resist against the forces that pull them together. They still have to get to know each other. They have to break down their walls and become the ideal mates they are meant to be. Only then, will they be true Mates.

 

 

#3: Physical and Spiritual Connection

In Fated Mates, the characters have an intense physical reaction, but there’s more to it. Because a larger force is involved, there’s going to be an emotional and spiritual connection between the lovers. This bond goes beyond just that physical attraction that they have for each other. 

In romance generally, a lot of the physical connection between lovers begins by means of the eyes and through touch: those are the little lingering glances we see, the brushing up against each other ever so casually. While those physical connections are taking place, they’re helping to cement other forms of intimacy between the characters. 

In this way, the physical reaction is important, but it acts as a symbol for the deeper elements. It represents a bridge to those spiritual and emotional bonds the characters feel so strongly in the trope of the Fated Mates.

 

Pin It #4: Rejected Mates

Rejection by one mate can cause a lot of complications in the Fated Mates tropes. This rejection can be a lot of fun and interesting, even though it’s horribly traumatic for the couple that’s involved. 

When one of the mates refuses to join with the other one, it seems like it’s going to be the end of the world–or certainly the lovers think it’s the end of the world. Yet it’s not going to be, is it? 

The Rejected Mates subtrope sets up a great conflict at the beginning. This step pulls the lovers even farther away, and then we watch them try to figure out the way forward from this devastation. 

The stakes are higher, there is greater uncertainty in the Rejected Mates. We’re still looking for that HEA, that Happily Ever After, so this rejection increases the drama of the story and keeps us reading. We still want to come along for the ride and figure out how the journey’s going to end for the lovers. 

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Book Recommendations

Here are my suggestions for next steps:

Vela Roth’s Blood Grace Series

Fabulous, slow-burn story of Princess Cassia and her star-crossed lover, Lio, a member of the Hesperine vampire race. They must play politics with Cassia’s father and the court to forge a new path and make alliances that will lead to peace. Gorgeous fantasy world-building!

Buy Book 1 from Amazon

G.K DeRose, Wolfish Series

Slow-burn enemies-to-lovers series for YA/NA audience. The Fated Mates face enemies, curses, magic, and trials on their way to true love. Lots of fun and conflict.

Buy Book 1 from Amazon Patricia Briggs, Alpha and Omega Series

One of the classics of the trope! Patricia Briggs is a paranormal superstar and her tale of a feisty woman with special shifter powers and the ancient shifter who is destined to be her mate delivers.

Buy Book 1 from Amazon

Lynn Katzenmeyer, Kootenai Pack Series

 These stories show runaways and rejects who find their pack and love. They love fiercely and will defend their family–even new bear cubs!–when they must. 

Buy Book 1 from Amazon

Kitty Siberia, Firewolf Saga Series

 Kitty has a way with writing flawed but gifted heroines and this book doesn’t disappoint! The Fire Wolf powers are magnificent and you will root for Scarlet as she finds her way and seeks love in this #whychoose story.

Buy Book 1 from Amazon

Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

 

 

In Part 3 of the Fated Mates blog series, we will discuss some popular books and series of the Fated Mates trope. Stay tuned!

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Fated Mates

Have you heard of Fated Mates? Twinned souls or twinned flames? Fated Mates is one of my favourite paranormal romance tropes. It’s a delicious dynamic between lovers who are propelled together by fate, who may fight against their attraction, but eventually must succumb to the higher power of love. 

It is often used in shifter stories, but it can occur in magic and vampire tales as well–any kind of paranormal/fantasy romance can use this trope to good effect. 

 

Twinned Souls

Fated Mates has its roots in Renaissance beliefs of twinned souls, or star-crossed lovers, as Shakespeare put it. The Greek Philosopher Plato had theorized that humans were split into two parts (male and female) after the Gods were threatened by humanity’s power. These two flames would be united in love when they found each other. The story of Eros and Psyche represents this twinning as a supernatural love that unites heart and soul in an immortal connection. These soul mates have an everlasting bond that helps determine their fate, and the thrill of these stories is in finding out how and why the Fated Mates will fulfil their destiny.

 

You can find great  recommendations for Fated Mates paranormal romance books on Goodreads:

Best Fated Mate RomanceFated Mates/Soul Mates RejectedFated to be Mated Werewolves

 

Pin It Bloggers’ Takes

One of my favourite blogs, Smart Bitches, Trashy Books, has a good list of Fated Mates books: Fated Mates.

Romance Rehab also discussed this trope: Twelve Fated Mates You’re Destined to Love.

 

Book Recommendations

If you are just starting out, try these bestselling authors:

J.R. Ward, Black Dagger Brotherhood

This very popular and expansive series follows a cast of vampire warriors as they find their chosen mates and fight the vampire slayers, called the Lessers. This series is steamy with an extra serving of spice and has amazing world building!

Buy Book 1 from Amazon

Nalini Singh, Psy-Changeling and Psy-Changeling Trinity

Strong female and male characters from a variety of cultural backgrounds find their mates within a dystopian world where shifters and humans share the world with a race with psychic abilities. These mates are often broken and wounded inside and heal each other through their love and acceptance. Slow burn romance, but worth it.

Buy Book 1 from Amazon Buy Book 1 from Amazon

Christine Feehan, Dark

 The supernatural race of Carpathians (similar to vampires and just as sexy!) is dying out – they have to find their fated mates, who will save them from becoming emotionless shells. This series is steamy and some readers may find the Alphas a little too tesosterone-driven. But, still a sexy, fun read!

Buy Book 1 from Amazon

Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

 

 

In Part 2 of the Fated Mates blog series, we will discuss 4 Traits of the Fated Mates trope. Stay tuned!

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The post Fated Mates Part 1 appeared first on Mimi B. Rose - Author.

Fated Mates

Fated Mates is one of my favorite paranormal romance tropes. It’s a delicious dynamic between lovers who are propelled together by fate, who may fight against their attraction, but eventually must succumb to the higher power of love. 

It is often used in shifter stories, but it can occur in magic and vampire tales as well–any kind of paranormal/fantasy romance can use this trope to good effect. 

 

Twinned Souls

Fated Mates has its roots in Renaissance beliefs of twinned souls, or star-crossed lovers, as Shakespeare put it. The Greek Philosopher Plato had theorized that humans were split into two parts (male and female) after the Gods were threatened by humanity’s power. These two flames would be united in love when they found each other. The story of Eros and Psyche represents this twinning as a supernatural love that unites heart and soul in an immortal connection. These soul mates have an everlasting bond that helps determine their fate, and the thrill of these stories is in finding out how and why the Fated Mates will fulfil their destiny.

 

In Part 2, we will discuss 4 Traits of the Fated Mates trope. Stay tuned!

The post Fated Mates Part 1 appeared first on Mimi B. Rose - Author.

Use Your Intuition

One of my favourite books as a child was Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time. (And Whoopi Goldberg on Star Trek: The Next Generation was also an idol – imagine how happy I was when she was in the recent film adaptation of L’Engle’s novel!)

I loved portal fantasy stories–when someone (or a group or family members) has to go through some kind of magical tunnel or device to access a new world. So many possibilities become available in this scenario, it made my head spin. In a good way.

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I write paranormal romance and fantasy romance to remember those days, when everything was possible and the world was shiny and new. 

I still want the bad guys to lose and the good girls to win. To stretch myself and imagine things differently.

My journey to become an author pushed me to develop my courage and determination. It also permitted me to go outside of the rational and logical sides I over-developed as an academic and get back in touch with my intuitive, artistic side.

I come from a musical and artsy family. My father still paints landscapes, and he is turning 80 this year! We have paints and pencil crayons and musical instruments and books all over my house and I wouldn’t have it any another way.

What can you do today or this week to get in touch with your intuition, to try and see things differently and expand your mind?Take a moment to consider how this might make your life better and share in the comments!

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Queen Elizabeth’s New Year’s Gifts

I love the Tudor English tradition give New Year’s gifts. Before Christmas became a tradition in the 19th c., English folks would send friends and family gifts to celebrate the new year.

The photo above is a sweets bag that Elizabeth received in 1579. But, it wasn’t filled with candy. It was filled with sweet-smelling herbs to mask the odours around her. This gift was probably more valuable than the candies she also received that day!

If you are interested in learning more, please see this article: Golden Age of Gift-Giving.

 

I learned about this tradition when I was studying books for nuns in the Tudor period. It was common for nuns and monks to exchange books as New Year’s presents – it was such a lovely image to me of religious people sharing their love of reading across the boundaries of their nunneries and monasteries.

I think we should bring back the tradition of giving books as gifts for New Year’s. Who’s with me?

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Finding Your Voice

My father is an artist. My mother is a singer. But just for fun. They ran a family business all their married life and retired a few years ago. Now they can pursue their hobbies more fully, instead of trying to carve out a little time for their creative expressions.

 

I think about this as I work on my creative writing. I have always been creative–drawing, crafting, singing, and playing the piano–but as I’ve gotten older it has been harder to make the time for these endeavours.

 

I have only recently taken up fiction writing, although I do a lot of writing and speaking in my job as a literature professor. And reading. Always reading.

 

I’ve been thinking about especially about my father’s life. He had to work in his family’s business when he graduated high school. He always told us when we were growing up that he wanted us to be happy and fulfilled–he left unsaid that he hadn’t been able to do this for himself. For many of us this is true. We need to make a living and can’t pursue our artistic expressions full-time.

 

But that doesn’t mean we can’t keep creating. It is inside us.

 

He lives with my mother in an in-law suite at my sister’s house. But he has a little artist shed in the back yard and dozens of completed canvases in his work space. He inspires me to find the voice inside me and to listen to it. Let it grow. Make it true.

 

What is that voice inside you? What do you need to express? Share in the comments!

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Family First

I had an idyllic childhood growing up in the Muskoka-Georgian Bay area of Ontario, Canada. Cottage country, it’s called, and has been for more than a century.

 

It’s a strange combination of elite consumer society and natural surroundings–million-dollar second (or third or fourth) homes nestled in between water, rock and pines. Expensive power boats skimming past seagulls, loons, and Canada Geese.

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My father grew up on Georgian Bay in the 50s and 60s. When he wasn’t working in the family business he spent his time fishing and hiking and driving a little aluminum boat around with his brothers.

When the next generation was expanding my dad and his uncles took us to their favourite places. I remember picnics and barbecues, laughter and song, pranks and tears.

We were family first. My older cousins looked out for us while the younger ones played blissfully on the rock and sand. We made up games and drew pictures for each other. We argued and made up, we laughed and cried.

 

That was my first community.

 

Loving, sharing, and helping each other.

 

I try to embody these ideals when I reach out to others. I often do silly or small things–I crochet hats for the neighbourhood children, bring cookies to a friend, send a card. But for me it is about the gesture of showing someone I care.

I have felt the power of these connections and I am blessed to have them in my life. I know not everyone does.

 

What can you do today or this week to reach out to someone? To tell someone what they mean to you? Take a moment to feel grateful and to share your blessings with others.  And share in the comments!

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