Genres 101: Today’s Lesson "Fantasy"

Thanks to the inimitable pattepoilue, our new feature has a better name: Genres 101. I hope everyone is seated comfortably, with pencil and paper ready, as we begin the first in our series of lectures (ok, I might be stretching that a bit but just go with me, k?) on the definitions and applications of genre names.

The main common denominator in all of these seemingly similar, imaginative, genres is that they all fall under the “Speculative Fiction” label. I mentioned before, that for Spec Fic, I always think of the question “What if?” as the determining factor in placing a book in this category. But there are so many answers to that question, that we must break it down separately. Today’s lesson will cover all (most?) things under the realm of “Fantasy.”

For me, I’ve always linked Fantasy and Science …

New Releases: Feb. 14 – 20, 2011

Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting

The missing dead call to Violet. They want to be found.

Violet can sense the echoes of those who’ve been murdered—and the matching imprint that clings to their killers. Only those closest to her know what she is capable of, but when she discovers the body of a young boy she also draws the attention of the FBI, threatening her entire way of life.

As Violet works to keep her morbid ability a secret, she unwittingly becomes the object of a dangerous obsession. Normally she’d turn to her best friend, Jay, except now that they are officially a couple, the rules of their relationship seem to have changed. And with Jay spending more and more time with his new friend Mike, Violet is left with too much time on …

Explore This! Bozeman, Montana

I’ve just finished reading Cryer’s Cross by Lisa McMann. The story takes place in Cryer’s Cross, Montana. My cursory Google check shows me that this is a fictional town, so I’ve decided our tour this week will be of Bozeman, Montana, another, larger, town mentioned in the book.

First, let me say, after reading the book, I wouldn’t be putting Cryer’s Cross on my wish list anyway, with all the disappearances and creepy goings-on there so, thankfully it is ficticious. Bozeman is, happily, not afflicted by Lisa McMann’s imagination making it a much more attractive place to visit. The book also mentions the remoteness of the area and the lack of cell phone accessibility or fast food restaurants. My big question for all of you out there: Could you give up technology and certain modern conveniences to live in a beautiful area …

What’s in a name? The Demystification of Genres

This has been on my mind for a bit and I’ve been searching for answers, but they never seem to fully explain things to my satisfaction, at least with only a cursory look. And it is this that has me in a kerfuffle: What the heck is the difference between Sci-Fi, Paranormal,  Fantasy, and Urban Fantasy? But there are tons (dare I say millions at this point?) of genres out there and so many seem so closely related that it’s a wonder they have more than one name! So, I’ve decided to delve deep, donning my reporter cap, pencil, and notebook, and find out what’s what?! Do readers have different terms for their books than the publishing industry does? Where did the names come from? Why is there a need for these marginally different genres?

One only has …

New Releases: Jan.31 – Feb 6, 2011

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love – the deliria – blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.

The Magical Detectives by Brian Keaney
Time Riders: The Doomsday Code by Alex Scarrow
Please …

Explore This! Siena, Italy

This week, we travel to Siena, Italy, site of much of the action in Anne Fortier’s novel, Juliet. With a modern day woman tracking one of her ancestors back to Siena and possibly the source of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, it is sure to bring up romantic images of ancient Italian cities: cobbled roads, lush greenery, palazzos, quaint shopping and more. Here to reinforce these images are my pics (k, not really mine…I only wish…but ones I’ve found). Enjoy the tour!

New Releases: Jan. 3-9, 2011

Deadlock by Moira Rogers

Carmen Mendoza’s shapeshifter father abandoned her. Raised by her psychic mother, Carmen ignored her paternal family’s political machinations–until the day they decided to use her in their bid for power. Trapped between two worlds and snared by a vicious spell meant to wake her inner wolf, Carmen’s only hope is to trust the one man strong enough to soothe her darkest instincts.

Born a pureblood wolf, Alec Jacobson lives as a rebel, the black sheep alpha who protects the supernatural residents of New Orleans from wolf politics. Too bad he can’t protect himself from his need for Carmen. Staking a claim on his enemy’s niece will turn his city into a battleground, unless he can find a way to stop breaking the rules–and start making them.

New Releases – December 6-12, 2010

Alien Tango by Gini Koch

It’s been five months since marketing manager Katherine “Kitty” Katt started working with the aliens from Alpha Centauri, and she and Jeff Martini are getting closer. But when an experimental spacecraft is mysteriously returned to the Kennedy Space Center, Kitty and the rest of her team are called in to investigate. Now the team must survive murderous attacks, remove a space entity from a group of astronauts, and avoid an unhinged woman with a serious crush on Kitty’s high school boyfriend. And that’s all before evil masterminds decide Kitty’s extermination is vital.

by Nancy A. Collins Right-Hand Magic
Outrageously Yours by Allison Chase
Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead 

Historical Fiction: What’s the continuing fascination with the past?

I’ve been on a historical fiction kick lately. I’ve been watching the Tudors on TV and collecting books that cover this time period. But, I delve into other times also. I’m a total Arthurian geek, I love reading about other cultures and their history, and when you throw things like famous artists/works of art into historial Venice or France, I’m hooked.

But why do readers keep going back to different time periods? What is so attractive to us about eras of oppression, disease, and no indoor plumbing?

Well, in reading Historical Fiction in the context of romance novels, it fulfills every little girls dreams of marrying her Prince/Duke/King. The rogue royalty that seems to never want to settle down into marriage but finally does with the most unlikely …

Explore This! Salem, Massachusetts

I’ve had the pleasure of reading a couple of Nathaniel Hawthorne short stories this year through two of my university courses, The Birthmark and most recently, Young Goodman Brown. This got me thinking about Salem, Massachusetts…and of course what it is most famous for.

What I didn’t know before was that Nathaniel Hawthorne had ancestors that were involved in the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. Hawthorne was born in Salem, so his family must have resided in the town for several generations. For more information on the Witch Trials (I found this an interesting account of what happened and why) click here. There was a lot of misunderstandings that got completely out of hand, and were fueled by young girls and family resentments.

Salem, MA is a lovely, old town with lots of history but sadly has this bad reputation, …