WELCOME TO THE BLOG, JODY! :)
Jody Wallace writes sf/f romance, paranormal romance, and contemporary romance. Her Maelstrom series with Entangled Publishing (ANGELI, TRAITOR, PRODIGAL) is post-apocalyptic science fiction romance about finding love during an alien invasion. After growing up in the South in a very rural area, she went to school a long time and ended up with a Master's Degree in Creative Writing. Her resume includes college English instructor, technical documents editor, market analyst, web designer, and general, all around pain in the butt. She resides in Tennessee with one husband, one Grandma, two children, six cats, and a lot of junk.Where to Find Jody:
Top 6 Reasons to Read Science Fiction Romance
So, this book I wrote. PRODIGAL. Post-apocalyptic science fiction romance. Standalone book 3 in
the trilogy. Action! Adventure! Romance! Monsters! Amnesia! Walnuts! A cat, finally!
Enough about that. Let’s get to the list...
1) Speculative elements and SCIENCE enable the authors to create societies and cultures where gender differences are...different.
With SCIENCE and the continued development of civilization, it’s logical to think men and women will become more equal in battle, in industry, in the home, and so on. The opportunity for authors to create societies beyond Earth’s current gender imbalances can make for some refreshing reads.
I love the heroines of the science fiction romance genre who shoot, fly, cuss, plot, scheme, heal, cook, and laugh with the same gusto that’s often reserved for male characters. And I love heroes in the science fiction who can keep up with these powerful heroines in the boardroom, in the parenting sphere, in the spaceship, in bed, and in all the ways. Character dynamics change in fascinating ways when people are freed from gender and cultural norms. This also applies to people who aren’t white cisgender heterosexuals...or humans!
All kinds of people, in all kinds of romantic relationships, are not only possible but a bonus for the subgenre. More stuff to explore! Diversity and equality are delicious.
2) You get to write about SCIENCE!
Yeah, in all caps! Gotta cap it. Because SCIENCE!
SCIENCE can fix things that are broken and cause new predicaments that can then be fixed by SCIENCE! While hopefully sidestepping any scientific deus ex machinas, seeing where the authorial imagination leads with respect to SCIENCE is exciting, entertaining, and just plain fun. It can also be thought-provoking as advances in SCIENCE lead to thorny issues of cloning, DNA modification, pollution, high tech side effects, and so on.
3) Science fiction can take us anywhere.
While fantasy and paranormal elements are wonderful, the SCIENCE in science fiction generally posits what could theoretically, actually happen, whether in the near future like my MAELSTROM trilogy or in the far future of our planet, like the Star Trek universe – or even a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away like Star Wars, where readers have no idea if the Earth as we know it ever existed.
Science fiction romances have places to go, things to do, people to love, and worlds to explore. What’s not to like?
4) Post-Apocalyptic scenarios are like survivalists on steroids.
What would people in our world do if... If aliens came and they were good? If aliens came and they were bad? If ZOMBIE PLAGUE? If Yellowstone exploded and ashed up the whole planet? If there was an asteroid due to smash into us? By visiting a setting that approximates contemporary times in the middle of a huge change or after that change, readers can envision these fantastical events and adventures happening to them. Less suspension of disbelief is required for the typical reader to be swept along with futuristic tech and pandemics than is required for werewolves, vampires, and fairies. Or at least that’s one argument.
Some post-apocalyptic settings are like Max Max and hopefully have Furiosa in them, while some aren’t as far along their apocalyptic path. My Maelstrom trilogy starts about, oh, six months after humans first come to learn about the monsters that want to take over their planet. PRODIGAL is about two or three years after that. So I still use real towns and locations and mention real people and governments. In settings like Mad Max or, say, the TV show The 100, readers get to play more of a guessing game, if the characters in the story don’t remember what it was like before the apocalypse. Both are awesome exercises of the imagination.
5) Romance will still be with us here, then, and everywhen.
In all of these places and settings—human and alien—people still need a way to create new people and continue their species, right? Forget cloning and pod people...that’s no fun! The truth is, many, many species will arguably maintain relatable notions of romance and partnerships.
Basically—even in the future, romance and sex will likely exist, in the stars and on post-apocalyptic planets. Granted, authors like Octavia Butler take romance and assumptions about gender and just change it all up, which is fascinating and makes for thrilling new possibilities in relationship entanglements. Good stuff! Whether your SFR author of choice goes the more inventive Butler route or not, you’re probably in for a rollicking good ride. Maybe with tentacles.
6) Because sometimes, in science fiction, the cats are our overlords.
Well, this one’s obvious.
~ Jody Wallace
Publisher: Entangled: Select Otherworld (September 5, 2016)
Series: Maelstrom Chronicles, 3
Genre: SciFi Romance
He nearly destroyed the world, but with her help, he can save it.
Adam Alsing—at least that’s what they tell him his name is—has no idea who he is or why he’s huddled naked in the snow next to a mysterious silver pod. When a gorgeous, no-nonsense sheriff by the name of Claire Lawson rescues him, she explains the planet’s under attack—and he’s been missing for over two years. The problem is, what he doesn’t remember can kill them.
Keeping the peace in her post-apocalyptic town is all the trouble Sheriff Claire Lawson can handle. Until the MIA Chosen One—the guy who could have prevented the apocalypse—interrupts her supply run. The Shipborn aliens want to study him, and what’s left of the Terran government wants to lock him up. But his charming demeanor and his desire to help, along with his sexy smile, has Claire fighting her better judgment to keep Adam around. For now.
Adam Alsing—at least that’s what they tell him his name is—has no idea who he is or why he’s huddled naked in the snow next to a mysterious silver pod. When a gorgeous, no-nonsense sheriff by the name of Claire Lawson rescues him, she explains the planet’s under attack—and he’s been missing for over two years. The problem is, what he doesn’t remember can kill them.
Keeping the peace in her post-apocalyptic town is all the trouble Sheriff Claire Lawson can handle. Until the MIA Chosen One—the guy who could have prevented the apocalypse—interrupts her supply run. The Shipborn aliens want to study him, and what’s left of the Terran government wants to lock him up. But his charming demeanor and his desire to help, along with his sexy smile, has Claire fighting her better judgment to keep Adam around. For now.
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Thanks for stopping by, Jody! All great points for why SciFi romance rocks. :)
Do you have a question for Jody? Or, if you're already a fan of the subgenre, tell us why you love it! Any recommendations of your favorite SciFi Rom books are also appreciated.
Enjoy!
Until Next Time,
*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!
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