Sunday, September 18, 2011

The Romance of Time Travel

I was doing research for this week’s blog on time travel and found a wonder post from Jody Beck’s Women’s Forum. I was excited to see authors that I know and admire on Jodi’s lists.

Here is her post. I've added it here below for your convenience.

Time travel romance novels writers have carved out their very own genre of romance novels. These splendid stories are romance at the core and they appeal to a wide variety of people because they carry aspects of a few other beloved genres. Some people think of time travel romances as historical romances because time travel means going back in time.  In reality they are far more variegated than that.  Time travel romance novels are one of the more exciting genres within the romance genre. Time travel books can also be part of another genre such as futuristic, science fiction, Dungeons & Dragons, or paranormal romance. Women who like other aspects of romance novels beyond just the romance typically love time travel romance novels.  You'll be hooked before you know it.  The following novels come highly recommended for a "far out and away" trip to anywhere. The following novels come highly recommended for a "far out and away" trip to anywhere.

Take a little trip this summer, the options are many...

Books That Time Travel to Old England
There are many time travel books that take either the male or female character back in time. It seems that traveling back to England in the 15th century or later is the most common location of time travel romances. A few of these books are listed below.



Books Within a Series With Time Travel
Some book series have characters that time travel in only a couple of books. This is perfect for the reader who is wondering if they would enjoy time travel romance novels. A couple of different series and the time travel books within them are listed below.  From the Dark-Hunter series:

  • Dragonswan by Sherrilyn Kenyon
  • Night Play by Sherrilyn Kenyon
  • Unleash the Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon


From the Viking series:
  • The Reluctant Viking by Sandra Hill
  • The Outlaw Viking by Sandra Hill


Time Travel Series
There are also full series of books that are considered time travel romance series. These books are for people who love the time travel romance genre. The nice thing about reading a time travel series is that the author is familiar with switching time periods and it is often easier to read than authors who write a time travel novel once. A few different time travel book series are listed below.



Time Travel to Modern Times
Although time travel romance novels typically travel backwards, some of them bring a character forward in time. These books are set in today's world but one of the main characters will have to learn to deal with things like cars, TVs, and other modern inventions. The fun thing about these books is that the time traveling characters have to deal things that they never even imagined could be invented. A few different romance novels that bring characters ahead in time are listed below.



Futuristic Time Travel
Futuristic time travel books take the reader to new worlds that are created completely from the author's imagination. These books are exciting because the reader gets to learn about the characters as well as the new world. Some futuristic time travel romance novels are listed below.



What’s your favorite time travel story?

30 comments:

  1. Outlander, of course, by Diana Gabaldon.

    Theresa Regan's two Time Travels, A Knight in Central Park and Return of the Rose.

    Love, love, love Lynn Kurland's books with Time Travel.

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  2. This is a great blog, Ruth. I'm a big fan of time travel, I fell in love with it when I read TIME AND AGAIN by Jack Finney.

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  3. @Dr Debra Holland

    I loved Outlander and felt like a star struck groupie at RWA Nationals. Diana Gabaldon was signing books and for a few minutes sat alone at her table. I spoke to her and told her about my time travel and how she inspired my story. Jeez, I was tongue tied.

    ... Ruth

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  4. I fell in love with time travel with "A Connecticut Yankeee in King Arthur's Court." I've been a Diana Gabaldon fan since her first book -- hate having to wait so long between books, but realize the research she has to do. I'm now reading "Sixpence Bride" by Virginia Farmer, a time travel with a twist: the heroine is not only thrust back in time, she inhabits another woman's body.

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  5. Saw Ms. Gabaldon present at Bookmarks in Winston-Salem last year. Funny and inspiring.

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  6. @Mary Kennedy

    Time and Again was a great story. We'll have to catch up at the NJRW conference next month.

    Thanks for leaving a comment.


    ... Ruth

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  7. I love time travels. The Outlander series is a favorite of mine also. There are tons of great ones but I can't think of the titles off the top of my head.

    I just love a story where the characters are thrown completely out of their element.

    Great blog.

    Jen Sampson

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  8. The Outlander series turned me onto romance. Just love Jamie!
    Jeanine

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  9. I fell in love with romance after reading the Outlander series. Jamie is my favorite hero of all time!

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  10. My time travel romance novella [A Time For Melody] was just published in July. It's a tough subject to write accurately, if that's even possible. I did find a good book on time travel for writers. "Time Travel-A writer's guide to the real science of plausible time travel" by Paul J. Nahin [A Writer's Digest book]

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  11. I've not read a lot of time travel. Not because I don't like them, I just don't think to search them out. Now I have a good list to start with. Thanks, Ruth.

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  12. Sherrilyn Kenyon has tentatively agreed to be our keynote speaker next year at our chapter conference, and I'm so excited to meet her. To be honest, I've just started reading this genre and love it. "A Reluctant Viking" has definitely caught my attention. Of course, I'm excited to soon be able to read your whole story instead of just glimpses. Newer authors: Maeve Greyson "Beyond a Highland Whisper" and Loretta Wheeler's short story, "Pan Man" were both good reads. I'm dabbling in my own time travel/dark angel young adult and find there is a lot of research going back into other time periods. Thanks Ann Siracusa for the reference book. Took a class from Eliza Knight about castles that really helped, too. We'll see. Thanks Ruth for the list of new "to be read!"

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  13. I love time travel! Not only for the fish-out-of-water aspect, but for all the other possibilities time travel brings. My favorites are those that deal with the paradoxes and the ethical "what if I change something" aspects of traveling to the past, which can be hard to find in romance. That was a big reason behind my own time-travel romance, Time's Enemy. I also have to admit, I'm drawn to time-travels set in places other than Scotland. Nothing wrong with these, it's just that Scotland seems to be about all big publishing will sell these days. Good blog, thanks for sharing!

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  14. I don't read a lot of time travel either. One reason is the same as Tina's. I don't think to look for them. But the other is that I'm not a sci-fi fan for the most. But I love Highlander (the movie/tv series) and think a book of that topic would definitely interest me. Thanks for the list Ruth. :)

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  15. I love time travel also, which is why I decided to write it. Coming from a sci-fi background, I used time travel theory (such as the river flow and parallel universes) and quantam physics, like R. Ann mentioned to make the concept more real in Past Her Time, since the heroine works for a time travel organization. The allure is being able to go somewhere we otherwise would never be able to visit, such as Regency London, the Middle Ages, French Revolution (a personal favorite, as you can see in my book) California Gold Rush, etc. You've got a great list started on tt book, some of which I haven't even heard of!

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  16. Terrific post, Ruth! I've always loved Time Travels. In fact, my first manuscript was one. I think it's the old "fish out of water" aspect that makes them so appealing. Thanks for a good read.

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  17. @Sandy

    The "Sixpense Bride" sounds interesting. I love stories with twists.

    My first time travel story was Rip Van Winkle when I was in grammar school. I was thrilled with the idea of time travel. Connecticut Yankee is a great story (and movie).

    Thanks for stopping by.

    ... Ruth

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  18. @Anonymous

    Hi Jenn -

    I know you love time travel, you write them too. "Outlander" is by means the best time travel romance. I can see what drew you to the genre.

    Hurry up and finish editing "A Time for Love" so others can enjoy it.

    Hugs,

    ... Ruth

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  19. @Jeanine

    Jamie Frasier is the man. His devotion and love for Claire is wonderful. I love the illusion of him walking down the lane as a shade in modern times. I can so easily see that.

    Thanks for stopping by.

    ... Ruth

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  20. @R. Ann Siracusa

    I'm glad you write time travel too. I love the possibilities and the challenges.

    Also, thanks for the resource book. You are always a wealth of information. I appreciate it.

    ... Ruth

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  21. @Christina Wolfer

    Time travel is not everyone's cup of tea. I hope you'll find some of the titles interesting.

    Thanks for stopping by.

    ... Ruth

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  22. @J. Coleman

    Hi Joelene -

    Sherrilyn is terrific. I heard her speak at Nationals. There wasn't a dry eye in the room.

    Time travel is an interesting genre. Whether you delve into it at the scientific level with quantum theories or purely from the magical fantasy aspect, they are wonderful 'what if' possibilities that are creative, adventurous, and (for me) romantic.

    Thanks for the comment,

    ... Ruth

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  23. @Jennette Marie Powell

    Another time travel author! and all those agents and editors told me time travel wouldn't sell.

    I really like the challenge of the fish out of water. I love finding creative realistic solutions to problems.

    Thanks for the comment,

    ... Ruth

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  24. @Calisa Rhose

    Ah, Adrian Paul was wonderful in that role on TV. Hmmm... I think there is a little of Adrian in my Lord Arik.

    Thanks for stopping by,

    ... Ruth

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  25. @Melissa Jarvis

    After I read 'Jurassic Park' I totally thought that some day, some one would invent a way to take a vacation back in time. Not a book, I mean I think sometime in the future you'll be able to experience the past.

    Now don't burst my bubble and tell me it can't be done. I agree we can't do it today but I'm still naive to think that anything is possible.

    Glad you're another time travel writer.

    Thanks for leaving a comment,

    ... Ruth

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  26. @Deb Maher

    I'm glad you enjoyed the post. I'm finding more and more people who write time travel. I'm glad you're one of them.

    Thanks for stopping by,

    ... Ruth

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  27. The first time travel I ever read was Lynn Kurland's Dreams of Stardust..where the hero goes back in time. I've been hooked on her and time travel books ever since. However, Outlander is my all-time favorite DIK book. Great topic!

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  28. @Nicole Doran

    I just love Lynn Kurland and Diane Gabaldon, too.

    Thanks for visiting with me,

    ... Ruth

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  29. The first romance novel I ever read was a time travel. Jude Deveraux's A Knight In Shining Armor. Love that story! And my all time favorite was Outlander. I also went total fan girl on Diana Gabaldon at nationals. I'm sure she thought I was an idiot. *sigh*

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  30. @KM Fawcett

    I really loved Knight in Shining Armor. I thought it was wonderful when the knight picked up the calculator and started using it. What a great way to bring the two times together.

    Jamie Frasier will always be dear to me.

    As for Diana Gabaldon. I was a total dweeb. I could barely get the words out of my mouth. I'm glad to hear I wasn't the only one.

    Thanks for visiting,

    ... Ruth

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