Urban fantasy seems to be the hot subgenre right now along with the ever present vampires and werewolves.  Somehow, I can’t get excited about these milieus.  I’ve never found vampires attractive.  Where’s the appeal in a dead person who drinks blood?  As for werewolves and other shape shifters, people who turn into animals don’t turn me on either.  I’m a fan of the Star Trek mold, preferring an alternate universe or a space adventure.  Urban fantasy, to the contrary, takes place on contemporary Earth but adds a paranormal element.  Now I’m just as much a fan of HEROES and LOST as the next guy or gal, but when I read, I’d rather be lost on another planet.

ATLANTIS RISING by Alyssa Day is a fun example of the current craze.  Tapping into the Atlantean myth, the story introduces a group of warriors whose prime directive is to protect humans on Earth.  These guys are virile males with all the same features as their human counterparts, except they’re stronger and they live longer and they have superpowers.  I liked the story fine until vampires and shape shifters joined the fray, and then I said, “Oh, come on, not again.”  Nonetheless, this best-selling title is a quick, sexy read that will leave you panting for more from this talented author.   

As for me, I’ve ordered Elizabeth Moon’s latest hardcover, COMMAND DECISION. I love her series starring wealthy space brat Kylara Vatta, whose family has been destroyed and who commands a ship to search for the culprits. Give me GALAXY QUEST, STARGATE, and BATTLESTAR GALACTICA any day. This is more my speed.  Futuristic romance is even better because it combines two genres I enjoy. Now if only the editors in NY would take notice and readers would try something new.

In Mystery Land, cozies are out and thrillers, along with dark romantic suspense, are in.  I don’t do dark.  I prefer light and funny.  If I want to get scared and read about the pits of humanity, I can read the newspaper.  I’d rather not spend my leisure time being reminded of reality.  I read to escape, and those are the types of stories I like to write.