Fourth of July & Fantasy?

Tomorrow is the Fourth of July, and so I feel the need to go just a little off-topic and wander through some of the mythology that has arisen around the founding of our country. One of the ideas made popular by recent works of fiction is that Freemasonry played a pivotal role in the birth of the United States. I have an interest in this because my own dear ol’ dad is a Master Mason and we’ve always talked about the various Masonic symbols that crop up in everyday life – like the all-seeing eye on the dollar bill, for example. I also saw a really interesting engraving of George Washington on exhibit during a recent visit to the New York Public Library where our first President was shown surrounded by Masonic symbols, wearing his apron. Fascinating stuff!

But it’s really hard for us to know in this day and age just how much of an impact Masonry had on the founders of our country. Like the mythology surrounding the Knights Templar, it’s intriguing for those of us who write fiction, but it’s a fine line between fiction and fact.

One interesting site I found stated: “Benjamin Franklin was a Freemason whose unique socializing skills included attending gatherings of the English Hell Fire Club, a secret society focused on sex, pornography and politics.” (Darn, talk of the Hell Fire Club gives me ideas! But I digress.) So, according to legend, one of our best-known founding fathers was not only a pious Freemason and serious student of the sciences, but also a bit of a bad boy. Interesting. (Thanks to the Unencyclopedia for the hilarious image.)

Now I have to admit to not having read the Da Vinci Code. Mea culpa. I figure I’ll catch the movie when it hits cable. (LOL) But I did read Two Crowns for America by Katherine Kurtz a long time ago. She’s not the first, nor the last I’m sure, to intermix real history with interesting ideas that came from the writer’s imagination. I think some of the best fantasy mixes real history – or ideas from it – with fantastical ideas straight out of the imagination. Hence the success of things like the Da Vinci Code, Kurtz’s Adept series (which I love) and so many other works of fiction.

So in that spirit, Happy Birthday America!

Urban Fantasy Anyone?

Maybe it’s just me, but I have a really hard time categorizing my own writing. I’ve been thinking lately about what constitutes the subset of fantasy known loosely as Urban Fantasy. I looked up the term and found a somewhat weak Wiki entry as well as an amusing entry that lays it out like this:

“The Inaccurate yet Simple Definition: A fantasy story set on “modern” Earth.”

I can buy that – to a point. For some reason, I’ve always associated a “dark” feeling with Urban Fantasy as well. I’m not sure if it’s entirely accurate with the way other folks perceive the genre, and I’m not entirely sure if a story has to be dark to qualify as Urban Fantasy, but it’s a feeling I have. Am I far off the mark?

Nevertheless, I’m working on a few stories that just might qualify as Urban Fantasy. That’s what started this whole analysis. See, in order to pitch a book to an editor or agent, you really have to know how to describe it. I am THE WORST at figuring out what genres/styles my writing fits into because I’m just too close to it to be objective.

So here’s a question – would you consider a story with werecreatures and magic, set in the contemporary world to be Urban Fantasy or paranormal, and how in the world does one distinguish the two? I’m really curious to hear other people’s thoughts on this as I try to reason it out myself.

Creature Feature: Nessie

The Loch Ness Monster… Nessie… A phantom, long-necked creature rising out of the mists of a dark Scottish lake. Creepy, right?

Many stories have been told over the centuries and many theories exist as to whether or not Nessie really lives deep in the cold waters of Loch Ness.

Some speculate Nessie could be an elasmosaurus, a kind of plesiosaur, or a decendant thereof. They were thought to have become extinct at the same time as most dinosaurs. They were aquatic reptiles with long necks and bodies up to 46 feet long, according to fossil evidence.

Could there be a last lingering few of these creatures living deep in the waters of Loch Ness? It’s a tantalizing mystery to ponder. So tell me, do you believe in Nessie?

Bianca D’Arc
Come over to the D’Arc side… www.biancadarc.com

New at Samhain — one of our own!

From our own Bianca D’Arc:

“Hara’s Legacy”
A Red Hot, Futuristic Romance Novel
Click for an excerpt! http://samhainpublishing.com/excerpt/haras-legacy

It’s a serious game of cowboys and aliens when three psychically gifted brothers try to protect the one fragile, empathic woman who holds all their hearts against a menacing alien threat. First in the Resonance Mates series.

Montana rancher Caleb O’Hara’s precognitive abilities saved his family from an alien attack that annihilated almost everyone on Earth. Now the aliens have come to study the remnants of humanity. Caleb knows the only way to ensure the safety of his young wife, Janie, and his beloved brothers, Justin and Mick, is to keep the family together on their isolated ranch.

All three O’Hara brothers love Jane. They grew up next door to the young, empathic beauty and she stole all their hearts at one time or another, though she married Caleb. Caleb foresees the shocking truth of what they have to do in order to survive, and Caleb’s visions never lie.

They’ll have to come to terms with a new world, and an evolving relationship, all while finding a way to protect two newborn babies who are innocent pawns in the aliens’ deadly game. Somehow, this one talented family holds the key for humanity’s survival on this new, conquered world called Earth.

To see what Bianca had to say about her new release, check out her recent blog entry here! http://paranormalauthors.blogspot.com/2007/05/shameless-plug-2-new-releases-from.html

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And don’t miss…

“Don’t Let Go” by Sydney Somers
A Paranormal Romance Novel
ISBN: 1-59998-474-1
Sleeping with the enemy was never so magical. Book two in the Spellbound Series.

“Male Call” by Denise Agnew
A Contemporary, Red Hot Romance Novella
ISBN: 1-59998-649-3
Her sexy letters are his only lifeline in his dangerous world…

“Susanna’s Seduction” by Patrice Michelle
A Contemporary, Red Hot Romance Novella
ISBN: 1-59998-596-9
All it took was the right man to seduce the spontaneous woman within her…

“The Rocktastic Corduroy Peach” by Michael Amos
A Mainstream Novel
ISBN: 1-59998-479-2
The Rocktastic Corduroy Peach—big schemes, big dreams and some really big drama-queens.

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Enjoy!

Jody W.
www.jodywallace.com

Shameless Plug – 2 New Releases from Bianca!

Yes, I’m going to use my blogging opportunity today as a shameless plug for my new books. Out today from Phaze is an anthology called “Fortune’s Fool” in which I have a novella titled “King of Swords.” All of the stories in this anthology have something to do with fortune telling, precognition or psychic phenomena. My story has a little of each and is set in the distant future, on a space station, out among the stars.

Here’s the blurb: Sparks ignite when a psychic meets a special ops warrior aboard a space station. When enemies attack, will close quarters and danger draw them together?

And a bit more from my website: King Of Swords is the first in a series of stories set in the same future as my Sons of Amber series, but earlier in the timeline. King of Swords takes place a generation or two before Ezekiel, when the ongoing Rim skirmishes with forces of the jit’suku empire make the civilian stations in the outlying areas of the Milky Way Galaxy dangerous places to live. Watch for the next Sons of Amber story – Michael – coming this August!

Here’s the link to my page on Phaze, where you can purchase the book: http://www.phaze.com/authors-biancadarc.html

Now, as for tomorrow… my novel, Hara’s Legacy releases from Samhain Publishing and it’s a HOT one! Hara’s Legacy is the first in a series of five novels set on a future Earth. The survivors of humanity must teach the Earth’s new inhabitants what it means to be human… and to love.

This story is a very hot menage tale set in a post-apocalyptic world. It has a mix of genres – a Western flavor and three hunky cowboys – an alien threat and lots and lots of love. The heroes all have psychic gifts – the eldest brother is precognative, the middle brother telekinetic and the youngest a very strong telepath. All must band together to protect the highly empathic girl-next-door they all grew up with and love.

Check out my website for more information and the purchase link, or just go to the Samhain home page or My Bookstore And More to purchase sometime either late tonight or tomorrow. And let me know how you like it!

Creature Feature: D’Arc Royal Black Dragons

I was recently asked what makes the dragons I write about different from others and thought I’d answer the question here, in a “Creature Feature.” Hope that’s okay with you all.

In the Dragon Knights series, there are many varieties and hues of dragon, but the only black dragons in existence are the Royal Blacks. They are the shapeshifters – the beings of noble blood born and sworn to protect both humanity and dragonkind.

They rule with an understanding born of the fact they are both human and dragon. The founder of their line, Draneth the Wise, intended it just that way, so the dragons and humans could live in harmony and work together to protect their land and people against the forces of evil.

In my Dragon Knights series, the time has come when this partnership will be tested utterly. The last of the wizards have returned to continue their war against each other, using humans and other creatures like the venemous skiths as pawns in their deadly game. King Roland, Prince Nico, and their brothers will lead both the dragons and people of their land into battle… and beyond.

I hope that answers at least some of the questions about the Royal Blacks. I’ll probably have to do another post sometime on the wild Northern Ice Dragons and some of the other creatures unique to my world. So what do you all think?

Bianca D’Arc
Come over to the D’Arc side… www.biancadarc.com

The Labeling Game – Hara’s Legacy

I’m hard at work on the final round of fixes for Hara’s Legacy, which is coming out on May 29th from Samhain (yes, we’re a little behind because RT took a chunk of time that we’d meant to use a little more efficiently – LOL). This book, like many I write, crosses all sorts of genre boundaries. It’s set in the future, with aliens occupying the Earth, so it’s either Sci Fi or Futuristic, depending on how you define those genres, but one of the main plot points is that all the human characters are psychic in some way. So does that make it Paranormal? Then there’s the fact most of the action is set on a ranch in the wilderness, so you’ve got the Western aspect. See what I mean? Genre lines are not only crossed, but pretty much obliterated!

I tend to narrowly define Sci Fi vs. Futuristic. To me, anything that happens out in space, or on a ship/space station/what have you, is firmly in the Sci Fi category. Futuristics tend to focus more on humans and Earth – or some colony world – but in some distant future which can be, and often is, post-apocalyptic in nature. By that definition, Hara’s Legacy is definitely Futuristic, though the presence of aliens will make many people think Sci Fi. *shrug*

Then there are the Paranormal categories. The genre seems to encompass (judging by the market and what other kinds of books are being labelled Paranormal) the traditional werewolves and vampires, but also psychic phenomena of all kinds, ghost stories, and the more Buffy-like demons, angels, zombies, and other things that go bump in the night. The characters in Hara’s Legacy have psychic gifts. The eldest brother has precognitive visions, the middle brother is telekinetic and the youngest has very strong telepathic skills. The heroine is strongly empathic. All of their skills together are what’s helped them survive in the “brave new world” where aliens have invaded and claimed the Earth for themselves. So, as you might guess, I’m in a bit of a quandry. How to label this?

I just don’t know, but my guess is the Futuristic setting probably takes precedence, then the Paranormal abilities of the characters. Oh, and it’s a really hot romance. I mean scorching, so that’s got to be taken into consideration as well. LOL. I don’t envy the publisher for having to make these kinds of category decisions. I’ve become a little hung-up on how you define each category as I struggle with how to describe my books and set up my website. It seems each person I speak to has different definitions. Thanks for bearing with me as I search for my own concensus of what’s what. Any suggestions/comments are welcome!

Bianca D’Arc
www.biancadarc.com

Sequel Anyone?

My turn to blog and I have nothing prepared. The reason I have nothing prepared is that I arrived home late last night from Houston and the annual Romantic Times Booklovers Conference. It was my first time at this event and it was a blast! I met a lot of great authors and readers, and had a great time at the book signing on Saturday.

I’m happy (and a little overwhelmed) to report that my paranormal book, Lords of the Were sold out at the book signing! Wow! Thanks to all of you who bought it and all of you who have read it already. There’s no better feeling than to know your work is appreciated. I was asked quite a few times about a sequel and yes, there is something in the works.

Which brings me to a good topic for this blog (I knew if I rambled a bit, sooner or later an idea would come to me!)… I tend to differentiate in my mind between a “sequel” and a “follow-on” story. My naming of each of these is probably bad, but in my mind at least, a sequel follows DIRECTLY after the action in the first book. It picks up where the first book leaves off. Now, on the other hand a follow-on or related story (that might be a better word), is one that is related to the first book, but doesn’t necessarily follow directly after the action of the first book. Does that make sense?

As an example, Lords of the Were ends and two male characters (Dante and Duncan) have been introduced and played a large part in the action, but are left single. So a direct sequel – at least in my mind – would pick up with one (or both) of them and directly follow the events of that first book in chronology. By contrast, I actually have a book coming out later this year called Sweeter Than Wine, which is related to Lords of the Were, but not a direct sequel. Though it does reference some of the characters and events from Lords of the Were, it introduces new characters and situations. It’s set in the same world, but it focuses on two vampires and a werecougar who are separate from Lords of the Were, though they do come in contact with some characters from the first book. So in my mind at least, they’re separate-but-related, but not a direct sequel. With me so far?

So my question to you – readers of this blog – how do you view this kind of thing? Would you rather read a direct sequel first or a separate-but-related story? Does it really matter? Do you define those things the same way I’ve been struggling to define them? I’m really curious!

Bianca D’Arc
Come over to the D’Arc side… www.biancadarc.com

Creature Feature: Wyvern

What is a wyvern? Looks like a dragon, right? But it’s not.

A wyvern has two limbs and two wings. Note that many Western dragons have four limbs and two wings, while Eastern dragons often have no wings, only four limbs. Wyverns also seem a bit more serpent-like than dragons. Sometimes they have fish tails or barbed tails, and their limbs are more bird-like that a dragon’s.

They figure prominently in heraldry, as do dragons and unicorns. Sometimes they are described as having the head of a dragon and the tail of a snake. Personally, I may have plans for some fictional wyverns I can’t divulge just yet. For sure I’ve got dragons of all kinds in my books at this point, but no wyverns… yet.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this Creature Feature. We have more planned like this, so stay tuned!

Bianca D’Arc
Come over to the D’Arc side… www.biancadarc.com

What Would You Do?

…if you were chased by vampires?

Remember that show “Scare Tactics?” In this video, one cheerleader sets up her “ditzy” friend by saying they’re going to an exclusive party somewhere out in the wilds of Utah. In reality, she’s being set up. Vampires are about to attack. What follows is kinda scary, pretty funny, and – if you’re like me – makes you think about possible plots and storylines…

So if you see a scene like this sometime in one of my vamp books, you’ll know where it all started.

Mwahahahahahaha…

Bianca D’Arc
http://www.biancadarc.com/