Fairies in Fairmount Park
One of the facets of urban fantasy I love most is the contemporary setting. I adore imagining magical elements in pre-existing cities, and for my latest work, Hunting for Spring, it was extra special because the city I chose was Philly. I’ve lived me entire life in the Philly suburbs, so that’s always been my closest city. Not that I don’t love creating my own unique worlds for fantasies—I do—but I love using reality and giving it a magical aspect that much more.
So for this novel, I got to dive into sections of Philly where the fae crawled in alleyways and hunters stalked the streets, trying to keep the city safe. Color me thrilled! I’ve got a penchant for exploring odd places and finding unique elements to cities, so this gave me an excuse to poke around Philadelphia a little more. This led to my excursion through Fairmount Park, which I visited on a beautiful crisp day.
Despite the metal and stone of the city, this park offers a green haven in the center of it all, and a sprawling one at that. What better place for fae to congregate? Not only is it a hub for the Seelie fae in the city who thrive on greenery and nature, but I figured it’d also be the best place for the Waystations—portals to the Otherworld, the ever-changing faerie realms. With so many unique things in Fairmount Park like Shofuso Japanese House and Garden, as well as the beautiful running paths that sprawl throughout the place, it’s the perfect breeding ground for something magical.
Next time you pick up an urban fantasy book, consider the setting, and enjoy the truly amazing magic of the genre, to allow fantastical creations to creep into our own world.
One of the facets of urban fantasy I love most is the contemporary setting. I adore imagining magical elements in pre-existing cities, and for my latest work, Hunting for Spring, it was extra special because the city I chose was Philly. I’ve lived me entire life in the Philly suburbs, so that’s always been my closest city. Not that I don’t love creating my own unique worlds for fantasies—I do—but I love using reality and giving it a magical aspect that much more.
So for this novel, I got to dive into sections of Philly where the fae crawled in alleyways and hunters stalked the streets, trying to keep the city safe. Color me thrilled! I’ve got a penchant for exploring odd places and finding unique elements to cities, so this gave me an excuse to poke around Philadelphia a little more. This led to my excursion through Fairmount Park, which I visited on a beautiful crisp day.
Despite the metal and stone of the city, this park offers a green haven in the center of it all, and a sprawling one at that. What better place for fae to congregate? Not only is it a hub for the Seelie fae in the city who thrive on greenery and nature, but I figured it’d also be the best place for the Waystations—portals to the Otherworld, the ever-changing faerie realms. With so many unique things in Fairmount Park like Shofuso Japanese House and Garden, as well as the beautiful running paths that sprawl throughout the place, it’s the perfect breeding ground for something magical.
Next time you pick up an urban fantasy book, consider the setting, and enjoy the truly amazing magic of the genre, to allow fantastical creations to creep into our own world.
Hunting For Spring
By Katherine MacIntyre
By Katherine MacIntyre
Hunters are a lonely breed, and Conor’s no exception, until the day he meets Brenna. Even though she slinks in unannounced and kills the wight he was hunting down, the girl’s a mystery and he can’t get that blinding smile or those gorgeous curves off his mind.
Since they’re both after the same caster who’s unleashing these monsters, he suggests teaming up, and despite her initial reluctance, the hungry way she scans him down promises something powerful.
However, her secrets have repercussions, and faster than Conor can lift his Glock, he’s drawn into the web of kidnappings and Unseelie mischief, all concealing the machinations of a darker foe—one that plans to bring Philly to ruin.
Since they’re both after the same caster who’s unleashing these monsters, he suggests teaming up, and despite her initial reluctance, the hungry way she scans him down promises something powerful.
However, her secrets have repercussions, and faster than Conor can lift his Glock, he’s drawn into the web of kidnappings and Unseelie mischief, all concealing the machinations of a darker foe—one that plans to bring Philly to ruin.
Thanks for having me!
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