Hi all,
Apologies for the lack of posts lately, personal stuff has been happening and will try and catch you up later. For now though, it’s weekend and I have the fab Katherine McIntyre dropping by 🙂 She’s chatting about researching setting for your story, as well as her shiny new release, Scrying for Summer. Take it away Katherine!
The Adventuring Side of Book Research
One of the aspects of research I enjoy the most with my latest manuscript is work I put into investigating the setting. It’s one of the reasons I adore paranormal romance and urban fantasy, because it allows me to manipulate and twist modern day cities. What it also does is gives me an excuse to visit said places, and since I’m someone who loves adventuring, I’ll take any excuse I can get.
My latest release, Scrying for Summer, centered around Philly, which worked well for my research since I happen to live in the suburbs. The city is one train ride away, which offers the perfect opportunity to go scope out locations and investigate different areas. While I’ve driven through enough of the decay in West Philly to illustrate that aptly (it’d be way too dangerous to walk out there on my own), there were certain landmarks that cropped up in Scrying for Summer that came from my own travels.
One of the most pivotal scenes of the book takes place at the Shofuso Gardens in Fairmount Park, which my husband and I visited a couple years ago during cherry blossom season. While I could’ve chosen a ton of different locations in Philly or fantasized one up on my own, this gorgeous place has a surreal beauty to it that inspires magic. The Japanese tea garden is meticulously taken care of, and if you happen to be in the area, it’s well worth checking out. However, the wonderful part about reading is that even if you’re nowhere near the area, Scrying for Summer will transport you there.
With the third book of the series in the writing stages, I’m already scanning through my lists of new places in the city to check out in my city. I love the integrative aspect of writing this genre and how the sense memories of visiting a location can also provide a more evocative read. So to those currently stalling on a setting, take a breath outside and go for a local adventure, whether heading to your local park, unique old building, town square—anything, really. Inspiration awaits.
Great advice 🙂 If you want to check out Katherine’s new release Scrying for Summer (and get transported to Philly!) the details are here.
Blurb
Jev was looking for an adventure, however she wanted the usual variety of stomping out nasty fae in the city as an enforcer of the Philly Coven. Instead, handsome as sin Liam O’Reilly shows up on her doorstep dropping news of the worst organization of fae they’d dealt with on the rise again. Except, he’s a traitor, an asshole, and the absolute last person she wants to work with.
However, the longer they work together, the more the fire between them burns, turning from rage and irritation into something primal. And as she gets to know the real Liam O’Reilly behind the charming smiles and sexy lines, he becomes so much deadlier. Because the protective, self-sacrificing man underneath his facade is just the sort she could fall for.
And you can get your hands on a copy here:
Buy Links: http://www.loose-id.com/scrying-for-summer.html
Don’t forget to follow Katherine on social media at the following links:
Website: http://www.katherine-mcintyre.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kmcintyreauthor
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pixierants
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/kmcintyremt
Tumblr: http://www.booksteacoffee.tumblr.com
Enjoy your weekend. Take care x
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