Happy Friday, Everyone!
This is my first time blogging here at RR@H Novel Thoughts and Book Talk! I’m thrilled to be here!
Today I’m going to touch on the subject of futuristic romance and fantasy romance. I’ve had three new releases since August, and the first two were fantasy romances, while the third one is a science fiction/futuristic.
I write in a variety of sub genres of romance, but I have to say that Futuristic romances and fantasy romances are so much fun simply because of the creative freedom. I can really let my imagination run wild as anything goes as long as it adheres to the world building facts that you’ve established in your book. Never break a rule that you’ve written into your world building, and obviously, make the scenarios as believable as possible even if you are throwing in a bit of magic.
I also grew up loving science fiction and fantasy movies. Stars Wars and movies like Willow come to mind. There were so many that I loved I won’t bore you and list them all here.
The world has changed. Ten years ago, Earth nearly crumbled beneath the might of an intergalactic War. Their Enemy fought them with their destructive psychokinetic powers. Only a band of extraordinary humans stood in their path. They were known as the Gemini Order. Led by Shylah McKay, they saved Earth from ruination.
Now, Shylah McKay and her kind are being persecuted for the very talents that saved Earth. But Shylah’s a mover and a shaker, and with her lover Grayson by her side, she’ll go to the ends of the Earth and beyond to fight for her people.
Do Or Die is a futuristic set in a turbulent world. Nothing is as it seems to be and mysterious and dangerous figures lurking in the shadows abound. If you like to be on the edge of your seat Do Or Die will interest you. Creating the characters and the worlds in this book flowed freely and in time the characters sort of drove the stories. I swear they were telling me what happened next! 😉 Susan Barton from Romance Reader at Heart just gave it a top rated rose, you can read the full review here on RR@H website. She refers to my hero and heroine as a Bogey and Bacall pairing. Thank you again, Susan!
Annabelle Hawthorne-Morton is a beauty with a mysterious past—Lord Malachi Hawthorne is the beast that will touch her heart—she will heal his tortured soul and he will bring the light back into her dark world.
Annabelle Hawthorne Morton hails from an ancient mystical line—even though she herself has not been endowed with the mark of magic that the magic-kind of Thaliana are born with. Despite this, she aspires for magical greatness, and while performing a spell the enchantment backfires in her face, robbing her of half her sight. But it doesn’t take her long to realize that within a few months she will be completely blind. When her father enrages the local lord and he’s imprisoned for his crimes, Annabelle must muster her courage and save her father from the beast’s wrath.
Lord Malachi Hawthorne, Earl of Markham has been horribly disfigured during a magical battle. His sister betrayed him—and now her curse has put him into his own living hell. Believing that the outside world will revile him for his monstrous appearance, he retreats to his enchanted castle. He is determined to make Annabelle’s father his indentured servant, until he meets Annabelle. He quickly decides that she is the one that might finally set him free from his living hell, and knows he must have her as his own.
Enchanted Beauty is a new take on the classic Beauty and the Beast Fairytale. I’ve added some new twists and turns and reworked the classic into my own what if story…
A relationship between a dragon shifter and a wizard was unheard of—and certainly frowned upon. Yet, Grania found Dylan nearly irresistible, feared, knew, if he ever touched her she’d never be able to control the mating fire.
With Dragonia torn by civil war and the rebels winning the fight, it was only a matter of time before the dragon shifters focused on earth in their determination to take back what mankind had taken from them centuries before. The wizard Dylan Lightfoot was their only hope, the only one capable of conjuring the spell they needed to defeat the rebels, and it was Grania’s duty to defend him at whatever cost.
She hadn’t suspected what it would cost her, though, would never have believed she would find her soul mate to be a wizard, not one of her kind.
Dragon’s Heart is about a heroine who just happens to be a dragon shifter. She’s not half dragon, she’s full human, but she can shift into a dragon at will. The hero is a very sarcastic but kindhearted wizard, who’s the key to defending Earth from the rebel group of dragon shifters that threaten to invade our world.
Like many, the unknown and what if scenarios that writers get to explore so freely in fantasy and science fiction fascinate me.
I would love to hear from readers telling me about some of their favorite Science Fiction and Fantasy movies or television shows.
I’ll keep this short and sweet, and bow out before I drone on too long. I’d like to thank Fatin for having me here today, and invite everyone to check out my latest releases and the book trailers listed at the end of this post. I also have a newsletter group if anyone is interested in hearing more from me.
Thanks again!
Best,
~Marly
*****Leave a comment for the chance to win a download of a book from Marly’s backlist! Good luck!
Thanks again for having me here today, Fatin!
~Marly
Good morning Marly,
I actually have ‘Dragon’s Heart’ on my wish list. I read the excerpt ~ a couple of days ago & it sounded so good. Ladies if you haven’t read the excerpt, do it, it’s a great one. However, be prepared you’ll either be buying or adding it to the top of your wish list. I’ll definitely check out your other books. By the way, your website is pretty! I love the banner/picture @ the top.
Have a great day,
Susan B.
Good blog. Enjoyed reading it.
Patsy
Humm I can’t really comment on Sci-fi/Fantasy books. I loved the shows Seaquest DSV and one book from that show, and I liked Star Trek TNG, and loved the movie DRAGONHEART but really can’t think of others. I mean I adore INDEPENDENCE DAY and DAY AFTER TOMORROW but I’m not sure they fall in the Sci-fi category.
I’m not a big reader of Sci-fi/fantasy. But your books sound interesting, especially DRAGON’S HEART.
Do you keep a chart or anything to keep up with what you’ve built in your world?
Did you have to write all that down before writing the book?
hugs,
WendyK
Dragon’s Heart is a delightful read!!!!!! Congrats on another release, Marly!!!!!
Hey Marly,
I am an eclectic reader, writer, viewer. Love them all. 🙂 I dare not list all the sci/fi and fantasy books and movies I love. It might take all day. 😉 I’ve read Enchanted Beauty and it was just terrific. I look forward to reading more of your books in the future.
Cindy
Morning, Marly!
I think some readers dismiss fantasy romance as too much science fiction, but they don’t know what they’re missing. Remember, romance is an integeral part of the stories.
Btw, I really liked Marly’s Doorway to the Stars…..
Hi Susan!
Thank you so much for dropping by my guest blog today!
It sounds as if you’re really intrigued by Dragon’s Heart. I’m thinking you’ll have to read it soon if the excerpt appealed to you that much!!!
And, I’m so happy you like my website! I’m with you on the banner, I love it!!!
Thanks for the comment!!
Best,
~Marly
Hi Patsy!
Thanks so much for reading my blog entry! Glad you enjoyed it!
Best,
~Marly
Hi Wendy,
I’ve never seen Day After Tomorrow. I’ll have to check that one out. I loved Independence Day as well as the other ones you mentioned. I think Independence Day would fall into the category of Sci Fi even if it was marketed as an action movie.
Thanks so much for reading my blog and commenting!!!
Best,
~Marly
Hi Tess!
Thanks for reading my blog and commenting!
Wow, you thought Dragon’s Heart was a delightful read, what a compliment! Thank you!
Best,
~Marly
Hi Cindy!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
I’m eclectic when it comes to movies, books and writing as well. I tend to go by whatever I’m in the mood for. 😉
I’m so tickled that you enjoyed reading Enchanted Beauty!!!
I hope you enjoy reading more of my books!!!
Best,
~Marly
Hi Patti,
You’re so right. Speaking for my own Sci Fi and Fantasy books, romance is an integral part of the book. 🙂
Thanks so much for reading my blog!!!
I’m so glad you really liked Doorway to the Stars, I have a sequel in the works…
It’s Sci Fi but again, very heavy on the romance.
Best,
~Marly
Hello Marly!
I love romance so it doesn’t really matter if it is paranormal, futuristic or contemporary! I’ve read the excerpts on your books and I think they are great! Actually, they are on my TBR list which keeps growing.
Tamsyn
Hi Tamsyn!
Good to see you commenting here! Thank you so much for reading my blog post!!!
Thanks for thinking my book excerpts are great! Glad my books have found their way to your TBR pile!!!
Best,
~Marly
Oooh I loved the excerpts! Your books sounds very interesting… I am a big fan of mystical things and your books fit that!!! Thanks for sharing and introducing yourself! 😀
Hi Colleen!
Nice to ‘meet’ you. Yes, my books will definitely fit the mystical area of romance. I have quite a bit of magic in most books. I do have some straight historical romances published, but the bulk of my published books are futuristic, fantasy and paranormal, one common thread is that they are all romances.
Thanks so much for reading my blog post and the excerpts! 🙂
Best,
~Marly
Quote: Do you keep a chart or anything to keep up with what you’ve built in your world?
Did you have to write all that down before writing the book?
hugs,
WendyK
*********
Wendy, I’m sorry I should have answered this earlier!
If the story requires intensive world building than I keep a journal of sorts where I input all of the character names, their relations to other characters in the stories, planets names, system names, for my futuristic romances, etc.
I usually input the information into my records as I write the book. I’m not so much of a plotter. I know how the story is going to start, and I know how it will end, and I fill in the other parts as I write. I literally see my stories like mini movies in my head, so that helps as I have a visual of what I want to write before I start.
Best,
~Marly
Welcome, Marly!
Favorite science fiction? Asimov’s Foundation series, including all the Robots books. Also, Firefly and Serenity.
My only requirement for either science fiction or fantasy is that the rules of the universe be consistent and laid out in a manner that doesn’t interrupt the flow of the story and doesn’t come across as the proverbial deus ex machina (for all that’s holy, don’t reveal the heroine’s amazing powers right when the villain is about to kill her during the confrontation on page 290)
One of my biggest problems with a lot of fantasy these days is that some authors try to explain magic through science and not being convincing enough at it for me.
Best of luck with the releases!
Mal on Firefly, yeah, he’s a favorite of mine. 😉
Thanks for leaving me a comment and for wishing me luck on the releases!
Best,
~Marly
Thanks a bunch you’ve added at least two books to my tbb list. Book one and three sounds fantastic and are my favorite kinds.
I love the cover of Do or Die–quite different.
I love the cover of Do or Die. It’s fantastic. Do you have someone new designing for you?
Marly, Thank you for sharing your wonderful gift of writing with us, readers. We appreciate it.
Dragon’s heart looks really good. Thanks for sharing today.
Hi, Marly! I loved Star Wars (the “original” three more than the second set), and grew up watching Star Trek episodes (again, the original)… I used to read more straight sci-fi and some fantasy, and though I’ve been reading romance for eons now, have only recently started reading more scifi/fantasy romance. It’s fun how romance fits right in! Two of my favorite fantasy series was Eddings’ Belgariad and Mallorean.
Congrats on your successes–can’t wait to read some for myself!
Hi Marly;
Congratulations on your new book. It’s always great to see more of your books:) I know your star will shine bright:)
Congrats and good luck on all your releases! I’ve been a fantasy reader and movie-goer, most of my life, too, so I relate. Your book videos are terrific. 🙂
Jacquie
Hi Pam!
Thanks so much for reading my blog.
I’m so happy you’ve found some books to add to your TBR pile. I hope you enjoy Do Or Die and Dragon’s Heart!!!
Best,
~Marly
Hi Estella!
Thanks for the compliment on Do Or Die’s cover!!! I love different things so it really made me happy when I saw it. Rae Monet is the fabulous cover artist!
Best,
~Marly
Hi Gayle,
When it comes to covers, it depends on the who the publishing house you are contracted with has on their design staff.
Rae Monet is on the cover art design staff at The Wild Rose Press and I was blessed to get her as my cover artist for Do Or Die.
After she designed my cover for Do Or Die, I enlisted her to give my website a totally new look, that I’m so pleased with!
The cover artist for Dragon’s Heart and Enchanted Beauty is the talented Alex DeShanks. She is one of the cover artists that does cover art for New Concepts Publishing. 🙂
Thank you for reading my blog!!!
Best,
~Marly
Hi Beth!
Thank you for reading about my wonderful journey as a writer! I’m so happy when readers appreciate my posts…and of course, my books. 😉
Best,
~Marly
Hi Kris!
Thank you for stopping by and reading my guest blog! It was my pleasure to share with all of you. 🙂
Best,
~Marly
Hi Fedora!
I’m with you. I prefer the original Star Wars trilogy, but I have watched the prequel trilogy.
I’ll admit I watched all of the Star Trek series. 🙂
Thank you so much for dropping by and reading my blog!!!
Best,
~Marly
Hi Angelique!
Thank you so much for visiting me here! I appreciate you dropping by and leaving me a comment. 🙂
Thank you for the wonderful comments. You’ve made me smile.
Best,
~Marly
Hi Jacquie!
Thanks so much for reading and commenting on my blog post! Thank you for the compliment on my book videos! I appreciate it! 🙂
Best,
~Marly