Sunday, June 19, 2011

How Urban is Your Fantasy?

We are pleased to welcome our guest blogger, Missy Jane. Don't forget to enter for a chance to win her fabulous blog tour prizes!

I’ve been a big fan of fantasy and science fiction since I learned to read. Horror is also a favorite, but I even prefer that to have a little fantasy feel to it. So when I started reading romance I naturally leaned more toward the urban fantasy and paranormal subgenres and quickly realized there is a very fine line between them. What really makes the difference between urban fantasy and paranormal? Whether it be straight fiction or romance the biggest difference is the setting. Some may argue that point but I think it’s more a matter of opinion. In mine, the setting is the most obvious. Urban fantasy tends to happen in modern times, with all of the modern conveniences we love. Paranormal settings can take place at any time, in any place or plane of existence the author wants to dream up. So, is there really a difference between fantasy and paranormal? I honestly don’t know.

I do know what I like to read though. I’ve gotten into the practice of not even reading the blurb before opening a book. Why not wait for the story to unfold without any expectations? Unfortunately, my opinion of the subgenres has been tainted by what I’ve already read. I don’t like to go into a book with expectations unless it’s part of a series. When it comes to what I write I also try not to categorize it too tightly. My first published book was, to me, an urban fantasy. In my opinion, it was just coincidence the two main characters have an underlying attraction that plays out. I didn’t consider it the main part of the storyline, but my publisher did. They put it out as paranormal romance and there it stands. I don’t mind one bit, especially if it exposes my work to new readers.

What do you think about the genres and subgenres of fiction, especially romance? Do you stick to a strict code of reading or not reading a book based on how it’s categorized? Have your tastes changed because of a specific book or author? Leave your comments below and you’ll be entered to win a prize pack in my Birthday Blog Tour. I’ll choose one winner tomorrow but all comments will be entered to win the grand prize on June 30th on my blog: http://www.msmissyjane.blogspot.com.

-Missy Jane
*Make reading a guilty pleasure…*
www.msmissyjane.com


They Call Me Death by Missy Jane

Humans are no longer at the top of the food chain…

My name is Alexia Williams. In my world, North America is divided between north and south—but not the way it’s taught in the history books.

After losing my family to the shifters, I joined the Combined Human States Army. Now I find myself on the front lines, defending the wall between my species and theirs. My mission is simple: keep the animals on their side by whatever means necessary—and I’m good at it. I don’t talk to them. I don’t sympathize with them. I sure as hell don’t admire them…until one saves my life.

Andor isn’t like any shifter I’ve ever met. He’s a three-hundred-year-old golden eagle asking for help finding missing shifters who may be in my lands. I just have to decide between helping the animals or ignoring signs that my fellow humans aren’t what I thought they were. But how can I help a species I hate and fear? Even if Andor makes me feel alive again?

In the land of the shifters…they call me Death.

Read the prologue:
http://store.samhainpublishing.com/they-call-death-p-4717.html

11 comments:

Author Missy Jane said...

Thanks again for having me on your blog! Hope you're having a great weekend :-)

Harlie Williams said...

Now see, I shy away from Urban Fantasy but this sounds awesome! I know, I'm weird because I love paranormal but most urban fantasy out there is just too out there for me.

maw1725@gmail.com

Ella Gray said...

We're so glad to have you here, Missy! Great post - I'm pretty open-minded about all genres, but I'm one of those people that will read the first few pages of a book and make a split decision on if I want to read it or not. Saves time, LOL. They Call Me Death looks like a really fun read :-)

Author Missy Jane said...

Harlie, I understand about the "too out there" feeling. I've gotten that from books before too. My friend absolutely LOVES a series, but when I got a couple of chapters in there were already so many types of beings I couldn't keep up. It was a bit overwhelming ;-)

Thanks Ella!!

gavir said...

"In the land of the shifters…they call me Death" Good line, I like it

Author Missy Jane said...

Thanks gavir ;-D

mj said...

Hi, Missy.
I'm an equal opportunity reader and have moved through many genres and subgenres in the past 1 1/2 since I started reading Charlaine Harris' True Blood books. Somehow that catapulted me into all things vampish, then shapeshifty, urban/paranormal romance, paranormal romance/erotica; then somewhere I jumped to contemporary erotica and erotic romance. If it sounds good, which this book of yours does, I'll buy it! See you at the next spot!
Mara
marajbrandon@earthlink.net

Author Missy Jane said...

Lol, Mara. I like shapeshifty books too ;-)
You've just added your name in again to win mine. Thanks for your comment and good luck!!

mj said...

You and I will be old friends by the time the month is out!

Unknown said...

Lol, I prefer the blurb 1st... too curious for my own good lol

leanne_gag[at]hotmail[dot]com

Jolene and Family said...

I'm late again, but still enjoying the hop :) I actually read in every genre and sometimes pop into something new just because I'm intrigued by the cover or a glowing review or a amazing blurb. I use to read mainly Dean Koontz and it wasn't until I had kids that I wanted something more and I stuck to fiction, but then Larissa Ione's demonica series introduced me to paranormal which I started devouring. Adrian Phoenix maker song series introduced me to UF which I loved and Susan Elizabeth Phillips helped me with my love of Contemporary. Mary Blayney introduced me to historicals, Lora Leighs books introduced me to books with more spice which opened my eyes up to some erotic romance and I won a contest on Larissa Iones sight where she sent me a YA book which opened my eyes up to YA. Now I'm aware of every genre around me and yes, it makes my wishlist out of control but there are so many good stories out there waiting for me

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