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