Raise your hand if you know Small! Yeah, that’s what I thought. Small’s awesome, wonderful and sweet, all rolled into one. She totally jumped on the bandwagon when I asked her to whip up a guest post for Rural Fantasy Week. I’m psyched to welcome her back to Ruby’s Reads, and it’s my pleasure to introduce to you Small’s…
5 Reasons to Love Rural Fantasy
I’m a neophyte when it comes to rural fantasy—having only read a few books that qualify—but that really is absurd because I adore the genre. If it came to a match between rural fantasy and urban fantasy, rural would win for me hands down. I’m a rural girl at heart and I’m here hijacking Ruby’s blog to lay out the top five reasons why rural fantasy kicks urban fantasy’s butt.
1. Guys
Rural fantasy guys are alpha men and can be described with words like “rugged” and “strong.” I can’t help but picture their large, capable hands that are well used to…working. I’m a sucker for their rural courtesies and cowboy ensembles. If you’re not convinced yet, well, just take a look at Jensen Ackles to the left and get back to me on that.
2. Possibilities for PerilThere are opportunities for peril in urban environments, but the rural setting really takes the danger up a notch. Sure an urban fantasy main character might run out of batteries for her cell phone, but that also requires a “forgetful” or “careless” personality trait (that would pretty much describe me and my cell phone). Rural fantasy settings allow for the removal of a cell phone simply and believably by throwing up the dreaded “No Signal.”
The isolation of rural environments requires significantly longer response time for emergency help like police officers and firemen, leaving plenty of room for believable peril.
And don’t forget Mother Nature. Weather, animals, lost in the woods—rural environments are home to a whole host of dangerous possibilities.
3. Believable
Some scenarios just don’t work in urban environments. Take Stephanie Meyer’s wolf pack, for example. Would you believe a pack of giant wolves could roam around in an urban environment? Yeah, I’m not buying it either. And that battle between the vampires in Eclipse? So not happening in an urban setting. At least not without a dozen people hearing and calling the cops!
4. Gorgeous setting
Mountains, plains, forests, deserts, lakes—rural settings are just plain pretty.
5. Possibilities for adventure
Horseback riding, diving off cliffs into the ocean, swinging off a rope tied to a tree and splashing into a river, driving fast on winding mountain roads, hiking through the woods…there are so many opportunities for outdoorsy adventure in rural fantasy.
And who better to partake with in all of the above than the hot rural fantasy guy? Amiright?
Sorry…were you talking, Small? I got a little…distracted. Oh, um, right. Your guest post. I really, really, really liked it. Thanks for joining us!
In honor of Small’s Number 1 Reason to love Rural Fantasy, I’m giving away a copy of Cryer’s Cross. Because, if we’re going to talk about hot guys in Rural Fantasies, I’m so bringing up My Book Boyfriend, Jacián.
Contest Rules:
- This contest is open internationally (to any country The Book Depository ships).
- To enter, leave a comment stating which of Small’s Five Reasons to Love Rural Fantasy you most agree with.
- Also leave your email so I can contact you if you’re the winner.
- This contest ends Thursday, May 12.
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Definitely #1. Gotta have the hot guys. I love a nice, hard working, a little dirty, muscle defined man. Yum!
jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net
I definitely agree with reason number 1 the most. I’m a sucker for those rugged cowboy type of guys lol.
Thanks for the giveaway
tiffanyinwonderland(at)hotmail(dot)com
1 guys rlrlaney@yahoo.com
I have to go with #2, though I agree with all of them. For me, it’s the isolation that makes rural settings extra exciting – anything could happen! But I do love the beauty and alpha guys too.
loganeturner(at)gmail(dot)com
Definitely #4 for me. I can take or leave #1.
rickimc[at]aol[dot]com
Um… The EPIC hotness of rural men!!! #1 all the way!
Thebookishbrunette@gmail.com
I’d have to go with #5, Adventure! Plus, I really liked the picture that went with it
ftbotbblog@gmail.com
Hahahahaha!! Oh, Small, gotta love her! Yah, I think I’m a bit distracted now, too…sheesh…
Great post!
Mmmm mmm.. I think I just drooled. He’s so strong and rugged, a real outdoors type. How could anyone go past that sexy dark rug of his AND LOOK AT THOSE TEETH! Mmmm damn! Definately #2 no doubt about it.
Just Kidding..:) Im all for #1
Gabbie-ethela AT hotmail DOT com
Hmmm … I’d say 2, even though 3 is a runner up, but somehow the grizzly hungry bear convinced me *lol*.
danaan at gmx dot at
I love Small, she really helped me out when I first started blogging. ^^
Well, I agree with them all… But the one I agree the most would be #1. You had me with Jensen Ackles. xD
catarina_romeira at hotmail dot com
I’ve got to say I agree with everything, but my favourite is the 4th, because I just love nature. (although the rural hot guys help too)
Thanks for opening this internationally.
anacorvonunes[at]gmail[dot]com
Number one reason, no contest. Smalls is absolutely, 100% correct in that the guys are just plain hunky. Speaking of… Tuck from UNEARTHLY totally counts, right?
And Smalls, I love the post!
Asher K.
I most agree with #2 Possibilities for Peril.
aikychien at yahoo dot com
I most agree with #1. Small town/country guys are known for being strong and hardworking and usually have more respect for the ladies.
GFC follower Library Lady
adsanders77 at gmail dot com
Um. Sorry. I didn’t make it too far past Jensen Ackles looking all yummy in that truck bed. He’s practically reclining, it would be so easy to crawl up him…wait, what? Started to say something inappropriate there:) I have to say I’m now a huge fan of rural fantasy!
#1 & #4…you need the right guy and the right setting and the book is magick!!
mk261274 at gmail dot com
4 – gorgeous setting
I live in a rural area at the foot of the Appalachians and I love the mountains! They’re so beautiful.
Thanks for the giveaway!
susanna dot pyatt at student dot rcsnc dot org
Thank you so much Ruby for having me here at your blog!
I’m so glad you’ve all enjoyed the post. It looks like number one is a popular choice. That would have to be my top pick as well. Dean + Rural Fantasy = Small melting on the ground and sharing Jenny’s inappropriate thoughts <3
Coma Calm, you’re so sweet! I’m so happy I was able to help.
Asher, Tucker was my main inspiration, so he totally counts (but I’ll be fighting you for him!)
I have to have #1 and #2 so he can rescue me.
kr_moreau at doglover dot com
#2 is so true! Easier to be mauled by wolves in a rural setting! : )
Thanks for the giveaway!
ambience.of.rain {at} gmail.com
Gabbie–Heh
A. Knight–Heck, yeah. Tuck totally counts.
Jenny–I’m shocked at you! Aren’t you married?
And it’s funny-werewolves don’t work well in an urban setting, and I think vampires fit best in urban ones. Why is that? Obviously, the hunting is better for vampires in the city–so many more people and all that. Guess I answered my own question.
Thanks again for coming Small. You’re the cat’s meow. (Yes, I’ve been listening to Vixen.)
Guys! of course, and the gorgeous setting too.
LOL
Oh and Smalls totally baited me with the picture of the hot man too!!!
Thanks for the giveaway
animegirrl (at) gmail.com
I think all of Small’s Reasons are very good. But I think the possiblity of adventure is the best. I don’t like peril, but I always thought jumping off that rock sounded like fun (as long as Jacob was there to save me from drowning) but tire swings etc. We used to go tubing down a spring fed river called the Ichetucknee River in Florida. It was so much fun! I like the adventure. Great post Small!
Heather
hrose2931(at)gmail(dot)com
Heather
Swoon. I got distracted too. I love rural fantasy if only for the guys. I’m a sucker for a cowboy. To me, it’s the reason rural fantasy totally kicks urban fantasy’s butt!
Lindadao2060 at yahoo dot com
I so have to go with #1 – rural guys are hot, and I love me some alpha males.
Val
lastnerve2000 at gmail dot com
I totally agree with Jensen Ackles, oops, number #1, rural guys!
Thanks for the giveaway! I’m a new GFC follower: *Jam*
milagp1(at)yahoo(dot)com(dot)br
My favourite criteria are also the beautiful settings and that danger is lurking and of course that there is a strong man there to serve as protector!
Thank you for the fun post and the great giveaway!
stella.exlibris (at) gmail (dot) com
Good reasons why rural fantasy rules.
Nice pic with the mountains and river.
Email address is jmwordsmith@gmail.com
I gotta go with #4, the gorgeous setting. Love seeing our gorgeous mountains everyday in Utah!
JessicaLiegel@yahoo.com
Possibilities for adventure #5 is my reason! Who doesn’t like living through the pages of a book? Doing all the things they you just don’t seem to find the time (or heart) for..lol
Great giveaway! I want Cryer’s Cross SO BAD! From the first time I heard the book trailer I was hooked!
GFC follower as veltara
veltara(at)yahoo(dot)com
#1 – Guys does it for me. I will take the one without the shirt!!!!
Great giveaway, thanks!!
Judy
magnolias_1[at]msn[dot]com
I recently just moved out of the city for the gorgeous scenery so def #4
Aanchal
bookflamereviews@gmail.com
I’m sorry, what was the question again? I couldn’t concentrate with all the hot sweaty guys. *scrolling back up to drool again* Oh yeah, reasons to love rural fantasy….um, hello? The hotties!
aliciacald(at)gmail(dot)com
Oh, all of them definitely…but most of all#1…mmm I love me some Jensen Ackles…but actually I’m more fond of Jared Padalecki yummmm
hense1kk AT cmich DOT edu
I love reason #1. Love them rugged and handsome men! I also love the gorgeous settings because we don’t have too much of that in urban settings.
angeldream3[AT]gmail[DOT]com
Definitely the beautiful setting. I love the gorgeous scenery and beautiful imagery you can use!! (And okay… we can’t leave out the hot guys!! It’s so hard to pick just one, really.)
Kris
elfdrop AT gmail DOT com
I love #5! I read books so I can get a feel of the adventures the main character is able to go on through the course of the book; from dragons to unicorns to knights in shining armor to Mars, I love adventures in books
GFC follower Krystal Larson edysicecreamlover18@gmail.com
This comment has been removed by the author.
Thanks for the giveaway!
#1 (I love Supernatural)
darkangel231988(at)gmail(dot)com
Memrie
Got to go with hot guys #1! Thank you so much great giveaway!
tishajean@ charter.net
I am an outdoor type of person so I would say the reason I would choose is 5. Possibilities for adventure.
Thanks for the giveaway and for opening it to worldwide entries.
Carol T
buddytho {at} gmail DOT com
Yes, yes and more yes to number 1. All about the guys everything else is the frosting on the man candy.
frellathon(at)gmail(Dot)com
The possibilities for peril. It’s definitely true that there is more that could go wrong compared to urban fantasy. Thanks for hosting this giveaway, my email is moonkat11@yahoo and I appreciate the entry in the drawing!
-Sandra from http://sandrathenookworm.blogspot.com
This comment has been removed by the author.
#1 GUYS ~ The swoon-worthy, super-hotties that are way too good to be true!!
twilighter.jm@gmail.com
I’m going with number 5, those possibilities for adventure are awesome. The take you from the regular hum drum, boring day stuff and give you the chance to do something different.
Thanks for the giveaway!
booksavvybabe AT gmail DOT com
I would have to say #1… guys! I don’t think that there is one book that isn’t in my top favorites that doesn’t have a “fall head over heals in love” leading guy in it.
holycannolirec[at]aol[dot]com