We Don’t Have to Hear the Kissing Parts: YA and Romance

Tags

first love, kissing, love stories, romance, teenagers, thoughts, writing, writing for teens, writing for young adults, YA, Young adult books

Most people who know me know that I don’t do kissing. I don’t do romance. The genre doesn’t click with me. Not that I don’t enjoy a good love story now and then, but most of the time, I don’t buy into what I’m reading or seeing. It doesn’t feel real.

That’s just me.

However, romance is everywhere. It is unavoidable. Now I don’t read straight romance books, but when the kissing invades (like a bit of peanut butter on my chocolate) my horror or fantasy I accept it, though it doesn’t always add anything to the story for me.

After critiquing the first part of a YA horror manuscript, there were a couple of times where the mc, a girl, went all swoony over a guy. I commented that it didn’t fit with the mc’s character…well, with the ms really. The author was so glad I thought that! He added those in because he had been told that romance was NEEDED in a YA.

Well…let me tell you what I think about that…

Needed?

Let me tell you about a teenage me. Now, YA wasn’t a thing when I was a kid. I was all about high fantasy/sword and sorcery stuff. Fighting and magic. A glorious world in which to escape. If YA was around way back then and every book I read held love stories, held the perfect girl looking for the perfect guy and finding him…I would have felt more broken than I already did.

Broken, Kathy? What do you mean by this?

Teenage me didn’t date. She didn’t talk to people much. She didn’t fit in. I thought something was wrong with me because I wasn’t like my peers. I didn’t have a group of friends. I didn’t have guys talk to me, school dances were pretty much my nightmare. And when a guy did ask me to a dance (after his first pick turned him down)…I said yes, but pretty much panicked and hid from him during the event. So does YA NEED romance? Nope. Teenage me didn’t need anyone showing her how much she didn’t fit. She needed stories of kids who were searching for themselves, not for their first kiss.

Kissing wasn’t important to me. Though I thought it should be. Forming relationships with boys wasn’t important to me…though I thought it should be. No one showed me it was okay to not care about that. No one told me it was fine to be different, to be me.

For teenagers relationships with people outside their families start to become important. They start to connect to people, look to make connections because they begin to understand that soon they will go out and merge with the world. But being a teenager is so much more than that. It’s about taking the first steps towards who you will be. It’s about questioning what you believe. It’s about realizing you will have to find a place in the world where you belong, exciting and gosh diggety darned scary.

When I write a teen character, I can’t help but channel teenage me. The girl who wants to love herself, not some hot boy. The girl who dreams of finding where she belongs in the world, not of touching some guy’s muscular chest. Not that I haven’t had a character have a crush, and it was awkward and horrible just like I remember. Not that I haven’t had a character fall in love, (though I tried to stop her!) with her best friend for heavens sake…and it was scary and exciting and a bit weird, as it should be.

Does YA need romance? Nope. Because not all teenagers need it. I admit that most teens out there probably like to read the kissing, the head-over-heals sensation of first love, the stories of boys and girls and making connections. But not everyone. Not me. So I write for those people like me.

So when someone tells you that a certain category or genre NEEDS something…stop and think. Does it? Is there someone out there making up rules for every style of writing? Nope.

There’s you. There’s the words. There’s your characters and how they feel and what they think. And all of it is relevant. All of it is needed.

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THE ICENI AND THE ROMAN…#SonofaPitch: Entry 2 #TeamDarkSide

Tags

#sonofapitch, critique, NA, romance, thoughts, writing

Son of a Pitch, round 2, begins! Welcome to Team Dark Side.

Eleven posts, for eleven entries. Four other blogs are hosting more! The comment section is for Son of a Pitch authors to leave their thoughts. So please do not comment unless you are a Son of a Pitch author. Thank you!

Onto entry 2!

 

Title: The Iceni and the Roman

Genre: NA Historical Romance

Word Count: 95,000

Query;

Devona watched her parents be slaughtered by the Romans in the battle led by the Queen Boadicca. Her tribe, the Iceni, were nearly wiped out in the massacre, leaving her to raise her younger brother. Her hatred and fear of the Romans grows with each passing month as they desecrate what little her tribe has left.

Felix joined the Roman legions to escape the grasp of his older brother, but his brother has sway among the military’s leadership. To force him as far away as possible, Felix finds himself assigned to the barbarian lands of Britannia. Once he arrives, he finds himself intrigued by a young woman as she stands beside a funeral pyre. A girl who hates Romans for what they did to her clan.

Despite the odds, Felix and Devona fall in love and face off against a rival suitor for Devona, overcoming the laws that will not acknowledge Devona as Felix’s wife, and more importantly, Felix’s brother forcing them apart because their union would humiliate the family. An Iceni barbarian cannot marry a Roman noble. But they will fight, because they refuse to believe their love will break in a time where love has almost no value.

 

First 250 Words:

Devona

The carnage left a metallic stench in the air. Blood covered everything, and yet, the Roman soldiers still advanced, crushing men, women, and children alike between their wall of shields and the unbroken row of carts and horses.

Grabbing my brother, I dragged him backward, out of the way of the onslaught. In the distance Boudica’s cries echoed over the wails of our dying people. Clearing the carts, I swung around. Mother’s face appeared in the commotion, her bronze hair streaked with dark liquid. Our eyes met and she nodded. She wanted me to flee, and to keep my younger brother safe. There was no doubt in my mind she knew she would die along with most of our people. The Iceni faced near extinction.

With a tug of his hand, I ran my brother from the battlefield. Reaching the edge of the field, I coaxed him up a tree, following right behind him. Climbing as high as we could, we hid. I covered his ears to block out as much of the horrors as possible, but I did not have such a luxury.

Tears rolled down my cheeks as the final stages of battle passed, each one drawing out fewer and fewer final cries of death. Finally, the battlefield fell quiet. Looking out, I watched as the Romans, each covered in blood, streaks soiling the polish on their armor and shields, effortlessly parted the remaining carts and pushed through.

“You killed them all!” The woman’s cry echoed from among the dead.

And now my critique. Yes, I am doing it right now, if you don’t want to read my thoughts, stop here.

First, a disclaimer…

Hi, my name is Kathy. I am not a writing god or expert. I will tell you what works for me and what doesn’t. I will put in honest reactions. Please take the comments that make sense to YOU for YOUR ms. Please disregard any comments that aren’t relevant. I will ask a butt ton (seriously I don’t know exactly how much a butt ton is, but it’s a lot) of questions to spark your creative brain. Any questions that I ask that give you an AH-HA moment run with all those ideas! The questions that don’t send lightning to your mind…ignore. Please listen to all the other wonderfully talented people who will stop by.

Thank you for sharing your words. Your words are important. You are awesome!

Query;

Devona watched her parents be slaughtered by the Romans in the battle led by the Queen Boadicca. Her tribe, the Iceni, were nearly wiped out in the massacre, leaving her to raise her younger brother. (These first two sentences could be combined. The opening “Devona watched…” could be stronger. The Romans slaughtered ? year old Devona’s parents in the massacre that nearly wiped out her tribe, the Iceni. She must find a way to keep her little brother safe…) Her hatred and fear of the Romans grows with each passing month as they desecrate what little her tribe has left. (And what does she wish for? What drives her…a promise to care for her brother?…a desire to live? Where does she go, does she run? Not sure we need to know Queen Boadicca’s name in the query, unless she is key to the plot.)

Felix joined the Roman legions to escape the grasp of his older brother, but his brother has sway among the military’s leadership. To force him as far away as possible, Felix finds himself assigned to the barbarian lands of Britannia. (Felix joins the legion to escape his brother, but the brother is a leader in the legion? Wouldn’t that put him with his brother? Or his brother is a Roman leader, who can dictate what happens in the military? Why is he escaping his brother? His brother gets him assigned far away…why? And what does Felix want? I want to know less of the brother and more about Felix.)

After these, I expect a dual POV ms. Each story is set up…now move into where they link.

Once he arrives, he finds himself intrigued by a young woman as she stands beside a funeral pyre. A girl who hates Romans for what they did to her clan. (On arriving, Felix is intrigued by a young woman standing beside a funeral pyre. Then I want a sentence about Devona…how she sees Felix… how they learn who each other are…)

Despite the odds, Felix and Devona fall in love and face off against a rival suitor for Devona, overcoming the laws that will not acknowledge Devona as Felix’s wife, and more importantly, Felix’s brother (the brother is a key person…I’d like to know his name) forcing them apart because their union would humiliate the family. An Iceni barbarian cannot marry a Roman noble. But they will fight, because they refuse to believe their love will break in a time where love has almost no value. (I don’t think the “despite the odds” is needed. I’d make this “fall in love” bit stronger…make us believe that they want to be together no matter what. A rival suitor threatens to what? Will this guy take her, does she like him at all? And the sentence “An Iceni cannot marry a Roman noble” seems redundant…OH FELIX IS A NOBLE…I’d like to know that earlier. I kinda love the last line…yeah. The stakes here…If they win and get married what might happen? Or if they are parted…what would that do to them?)

 

First 250 Words:

Devona

The carnage left a metallic stench in the air. Blood covered everything, and yet, the Roman soldiers still advanced, crushing men, women, and children alike between their wall of shields and the unbroken row of carts and horses. (good visuals, maybe a bit of emotion from the mc in here to set us in her head right away? How does she react to the stench, to the sight of blood and her people being killed? Is it day or night? Cold or warm?)

Grabbing my brother, I dragged him backward, out of the way of the onslaught. (how old is the brother? How is he reacting? Is she dragging a kicking and screaming four year old or a stunned eight year old?) In the distance Boudica’s (who?) cries echoed over the wails of our dying people (Might name the tribe here). Clearing the carts (what carts? Are there horses too?), I swung around. Mother’s face appeared in the commotion, her bronze hair streaked with dark liquid. Our eyes met and she nodded. She wanted me to flee, and to keep my younger brother safe. There was no doubt in my mind she knew she would die along with most of our people. The Iceni faced near extinction. (Why? A bit of her thoughts on why they were being killed. And it can be small, like for being in the wrong place.)

With a tug of his hand, I ran my brother from the battlefield. Reaching the edge of the field, I coaxed him up a tree, following right behind him. Climbing as high as we could, we hid. I covered his ears to block out as much of the horrors as possible, but I did not have such a luxury.

Tears rolled down my cheeks as the final stages of battle passed, each one drawing out fewer and fewer final cries of death. (Is she watching? Or just listening? What does she see? What is she feeling?) Finally, the battlefield fell quiet. Looking out, I watched as the Romans, each covered in blood, streaks soiling the polish on their armor and shields, effortlessly parted the remaining carts and pushed through. (Don’t need “I watched” we know it’s what she sees.)

“You killed them all!” The woman’s cry echoed from among the dead. (And I’m dying to see the lone woman standing in the bloody fields…)

I like this beginning! The writing is solid. I want to know why they are being killed. Who are the Iceni? What is Devona going to do and how will she deal with how life has changed? I want to know what she wants? She promised her mother to save her brother, so she’s doing that…now she’s driven by that promise?

For the author of this entry…Feel free to comment on what I have said and you can certainly post revisions!

Again, THANK YOU for participating. Sharing your words and opening up for critique is difficult. We all are here to help you make your ms as shiny as possible. Good luck with all the writing!

FOUND…#SonofaPitch: Entry 1 #TeamDarkSide

Tags

#sonofapitch, critique, NA, romance, thoughts, writing

Son of a Pitch, round 2, begins! Welcome to Team Dark Side.

Eleven posts, for eleven entries. Four other blogs are hosting more! The comment section is for Son of a Pitch authors to leave their thoughts. So please do not comment unless you are a Son of a Pitch author. Thank you!

Onto entry 1!

Title: Found

Category and Genre: NA Romance/Sci-Fi
Word Count: 82,000

Query:

Ray is thrilled to be assigned the task of seducing Laney. She’s gorgeous, innocent to the point of naïveté, and unaware of her parents’ dangerous pasts. Plus, there’s nothing he wouldn’t do for his exceedingly powerful, villainous father who has been deemed king of the mutati, the salacious underground society of physiologically altered individuals. Complications arise when Ray falls in love with Laney and starts to do the unthinkable: question his father. He  is so desperate to rule beside the king that he’s willing to hurt—even destroy—Laney.

Ray must carefully balance protecting the girl he loves and taking his rightful place in the billion-dollar organization next to the father he regards so highly. Will he realize that he cannot truly protect her before it’s too late?

 

First 250 Words:

I was six rows away, but my unnaturally perfect eyesight allowed me to see her just fine as she hustled through the store. Mine weren’t the only eyes following her, and even though I had become accustomed to it, I still fucking hated it. For now, I could do nothing but let them openly gawk at her. Oblivious to their attention, she focused on pushing her heavy cart to the front and then settled in the least busy line. I nonchalantly followed and hit the text that would send the store’s computers into a temporary virus stricken state.

My stomach started doing all kinds of crazy shit as I sauntered into the line. I was finally going to talk to her. Two idiots had the same idea, but one grimace from me and they changed their trajectory. I don’t know what others see in my eyes exactly, but I think it has to do with death and the lives I’ve taken.

Unwilling to go down that path, I concentrated on the beautiful, dark-haired girl in front of me. I grabbed the latest Motor Trendmagazine and a local newspaper from the wire rack she stood next to, leaning in close so she  was sure to get a good whiff of my custom-made cologne.

Her phone dinged a notification at the exact same time I received a text. It was her best friend who was traveling through Europe. I received the same picture that she did as well as the caption.

And my critique…Yes, I do these right here, if you don’t want to read my thoughts, then stop right here.

First, a disclaimer:

Hi, my name is Kathy. I am not a writing god or expert. I will tell you what works for me and what doesn’t. I will put in honest reactions. Please take the comments that make sense to YOU for YOUR ms. Please disregard any comments that aren’t relevant. I will ask a butt-ton (seriously I don’t know exactly how much a butt-ton is, but it’s a lot) of questions to spark your creative brain. Any questions that I ask that give you an AH-HA moment run with all those ideas! The questions that don’t send light your mind with thoughts…ignore. Please listen to all the other wonderfully talented people who will stop by.

Thank you for sharing your words. Your words are important. You are awesome!

Query:

Ray is thrilled to be assigned the task of seducing Laney. (Why is he seducing her? For whom?) She’s gorgeous, innocent to the point of naïveté, and unaware of her parents’ dangerous pasts (oh! Intriguing! What pasts?). Plus, there’s nothing he wouldn’t do for his exceedingly powerful, villainous father who has been deemed king of the mutati, the salacious underground society of physiologically altered individuals (These mutati sound cool! What do they do?). Complications arise when Ray falls in love with Laney and starts to do the unthinkable: question his father. (So he finally talks to her? They date?) He  is so desperate to rule beside the king that he’s willing to hurt—even destroy—Laney.

Ray must carefully balance protecting the girl he loves (protecting her? From what? From his father?) and taking his rightful place in the billion-dollar organization next to the father he regards so highly. Will he realize that he cannot truly protect her before it’s too late?

Too late for what? We need to know the stakes. If he chooses one thing what will or won’t happen or if he doesn’t choose something what devastating thing will happen? We need to see the moment when he has to make that choice.

I’d like a bit more set up of Ray. How old is Ray? What is his life normally like? Who is he? What does he want? He’s a mutati, so what does he look like/ What is different about him than a human? He works for his father, the King, right? So he can one day rule? Why? For the power, the money? Is that all he values? What is he doing to reach his goals? Seducing Laney? Why?

Then what gets in the way of him achieving his goals? Blammo…love gets in the way, but how? Does she gets him to think differently? She shows him a world he never knew existed? How does being with her change him? How is he questioning his father? What will his father do to him if he keeps questioning? What is supposed to happen to Laney that he wants to change?

I don’t get a sci-fi vibe from the query, but paranormal. I get an action thriller vibe with romance. 

I think the query is a bit short. Add in a few details of things that make this unique, give us the flavor. I am extremely interested in the mutati…the world is intriguing.

 

First 250 Words:

I was six rows away, but my unnaturally perfect eyesight (world build a bit here…how is his eyesight unnaturally perfect? A device? An enhancement?) allowed me to see her just fine as she hustled through the store. (Six rows…I immediately thought of a movie theater, then you said store and I was a bit confused. He can see her through the tall shelves of the store? Add a bit of detail…she was in aisle 9 with the boxed mac n cheese, use that to give us her character…where is he? Is he checking out the candy in aisle 3? Give us a bit of his character. Is he nervous? Is he happy following her? A hint of why he’s following her. And is there awful music playing over the speakers? Giving sights, sounds, and smells will really put us there.) Mine weren’t the only eyes following her, and even though I had become accustomed to it, I still fucking hated it. (Accustomed, because he’s been following her for a while?) For now, I could do nothing but let them openly gawk at her. (Why wouldn’t he let them? What else would he do?) Oblivious to their attention, she focused on pushing her heavy cart to the front and then settled in the least busy line. I nonchalantly followed and hit the text (on his phone? A special phone or regular one? World build here.) that would send the store’s computers into a temporary virus stricken state. (Oh! How? WHY? A hint at his intentions would be great!)

My stomach started doing all kinds of crazy shit as I sauntered into the line. I was finally going to talk to her. (After how long? How long has he been following her? What does he need to tell her?) Two idiots had the same idea (How does he know? Do they start to approach? What do these idiots look like?), but one grimace from me and they changed their trajectory. I don’t know what others see in my eyes exactly, but I think it has to do with death and the lives I’ve taken. (Oh. A killer. Nice!)

Unwilling to go down that path (go down the path of memories? Why not give us a taste, a glimpse into the past? Why doesn’t he want to remember?), I concentrated on the beautiful, dark-haired girl in front of me. (How is she standing? What does she smell like? Is she humming or looking at something?) I grabbed the latest Motor Trend magazine and a local newspaper from the wire rack she stood next to, leaning in close so she was sure to get a good whiff of my custom-made cologne. (custom-made? How? What does it do?)

Her phone dinged a notification at the exact same time I received a text. It was her best friend who was traveling through Europe. I received the same picture that she did as well as the caption. (so his phone is set to receive what she does? Why?)

 So this is present day?

If this is sci-fi, give me a bit of sci-fi tech. In my head, this is paranormal with the mutants, though in the first page it reads as an action thriller…spies possibly or crazy stalker, maybe FBI…I don’t have a clear picture of what he is doing and why. What are his intentions? To follow? Stalk in a creepy way? Is he going to nab her? Which is a lot to ask in a page, I know. But hints, little details can help.

How long has he been following this girl? I can tell he’s almost protective over her, almost like a hovering jealous ex. I don’t see any details of the mc…the frayed or perfect edges of his jacket sleeve as he looks at his phone. I don’t hear the squeak of his worn tennis shoes (or black boots) as he walks through the store. Paint us a bit of a picture so we get to know him.

For the author of this entry…Feel free to comment on what I have said and you can certainly post revisions!

Again, THANK YOU for participating. Sharing your words and opening up for critique is difficult. We all are here to help you make your ms as shiny as possible. Good luck with all the writing!

INIQUITY Release Day!!!!!

Tags

Book release, dark fantasy, Iniquity, Melody Winter, New Adult, release day, romance

Release Day!!!!! INIQUITY (The Ascent, Book One) by Melody Winter

Publication date: October 25th, 2016

Genre: New Adult, Dark Romantic Fantasy

 

To celebrate the release of INIQUITY, the first book in The Ascent series trilogy, Melody is giving away a signed paperback of Iniquity and a handmade Iniquity bangle.

All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is sign up to her newsletter.

Click here: newsletter sign up

If you’re already signed up then send melody a quick email telling her you’d like to be entered into the giveaway for the release day prize. Email: melodywinterbooks@gmail.com

Melody will pick a winner on the 31^st October 2016.

 

If you haven’t grabbed your kindle version of Iniquity, grab it today—the last day before the price goes up. (Please double check price before purchase.)

Amazon.com: Link to Iniquity on amazon US  

Amazon.co.uk: Link to Iniquity on amazon UK

 

Athena Harrow is about to turn twenty-one, but there will be no celebration. What is there to celebrate when the world is ruled by demons?

She hates the darkness the demons brought with them and longs for the light to return to the world—a world she only vaguely remembers. The people in her forest village blindly accept the life the demons forced upon them, even tolerating the yearly ascension ceremony where all the girls who have turned twenty-one are either sent away to serve the Master Demon or left in the village and forced to procreate.

But Paymon, the assigned village demon, selects a different role for Athena, a role that pits her against the village. While she adapts to her new life, Erebus, a younger, more powerful demon, arrives, and Athena must play a dangerous game with his emotions in return for information about the demon’s reign of darkness.

As Athena’s dreams of restoring the light begin to fade, her life with Erebus takes an unexpected turn, and this time it’s her life being put to the test.

Set in the forest around Buttercrambe in North Yorkshire, England, INIQUITY explores the frightening, darker side of romance and the uncontrolled emotions it can unleash.

 

Growing up, Melody showed a natural ability in art, a head for maths, and a tendency to write too long English essays. Difficult to place in the world when she graduated, she pursued a career in teaching, but ended up working in finance. Melody is convinced the methodical times she spends working with numbers fuel her desire to drift into dream worlds and write about the illusory characters in her head.

Melody Winter lives in York, North Yorkshire, England with her husband and two sons. When not dealing with football, rugby, and a whole plethora of ‘boy’ activities, she will be found scribbling notes for her stories, or preparing for another trip to the nearby beaches at Scarborough and Whitby. With an obsession for anything mythical, Melody revels in reading and writing about such creatures, and creating her own.

 

Website Goodreads Facebook Twitter Pinterest

Cover Reveal…INIQUITY

Tags

book, cover reveal, dark fantasy, Dark romantic fantasy, demons, Iniquity, Melody Winter, New Adult, romance

I have been privileged and honored to have been a part of this book since this wonderful lady began writing it. Let’s be honest…as soon as she told me “demons” I was in. Then she said “romance” and I said “well, okay, I forgive you.” She laughed.

And sent me a draft to critique.

And sent me chapters to proof read.

And shared the fun she was having with the trailer and book cover designs.

Melody Winter is getting ready to enter the world of self-publishing. AND I AM CHEERING FOR HER!

So, when it’s time for the cover reveal…I SIGNED UP!

This cover is beautiful. It fits the tone of the book, the story all wrapped up in the images.

So let me give this gif to fully give you my excitement (and it’s one of Melody’s favorites)…

 

And the cover…

 

 

INIQUITY (The Ascent, Book One) by Melody Winter

Publication date: October 25th, 2016 (yup, waiting is hard)

Genre: New Adult, Dark Romantic Fantasy

Athena Harrow is about to turn twenty-one, but there will be no celebration. What is there to celebrate when the world is ruled by demons?

She hates the darkness the demons brought with them and longs for the light to return to the world—a world she only vaguely remembers. The people in her forest village blindly accept the life the demons forced upon them, even tolerating the yearly ascension ceremony where all the girls who have turned twenty-one are either sent away to serve the Master Demon or left in the village and forced to procreate.

But Paymon, the assigned village demon, selects a different role for Athena, a role that pits her against the village. While she adapts to her new life, Erebus, a younger, more powerful demon, arrives, and Athena must play a dangerous game with his emotions in return for information about the demon’s reign of darkness.

As Athena’s dreams of restoring the light begin to fade, her life with Erebus takes an unexpected turn, and this time it’s her life being put to the test.

Set in the forest around Buttercrambe in North Yorkshire, England, INIQUITY explores the frightening, darker side of romance and the uncontrolled emotions it can unleash.

PRE-ORDER LINKS:

Amazon.com: Link to Iniquity on amazon US  

Amazon.co.uk: Link to Iniquity on amazon UK

 

And yes, I ask…

But the whole story had me all…

 

 

Bravo, Melody! Congrats on all your hard work on this step of you publishing journey. Thanks for including me.

Growing up, Melody showed a natural ability in art, a head for maths, and a tendency to write too long English essays. Difficult to place in the world when she graduated, she pursued a career in teaching, but ended up working in finance. Melody is convinced the methodical times she spends working with numbers fuel her desire to drift into dream worlds and write about the illusory characters in her head.

Melody Winter lives in York, North Yorkshire, England with her husband and two sons. When not dealing with football, rugby, and a whole plethora of ‘boy’ activities, she will be found scribbling notes for her stories, or preparing for another trip to the nearby beaches at Scarborough and Whitby. With an obsession for anything mythical, Melody revels in reading and writing about such creatures, and creating her own.

Website Goodreads Facebook Twitter Pinterest

Go find her! Say hi! And be excited to read this one.

 

To Romance or Not To Romance

Tags

love, lust, romance, RT book lovers convention, writing my voice, writing real teens

That is the question.

As I wandered through the Romantic Times Book Lovers Convention, I saw the loyalty and passion of romance fans. Epic.

Did this make me want to write kissing scenes? Nope.

I felt a bit out of place, but I didn’t feel inadequate, like my writing was somehow lacking because I don’t include hot guys with abs. I appreciate these guys, but never have I found myself drooling over them or dreaming of spending moments with them. This has never been me. I was not a boy-crazy teen. I didn’t date until college, and that one guy I did date is now my husband, so my dating history is, well, short.

If I feel this way, so do others. I might be in the minority, but we need stories out there for those of us who don’t want the kissing. So I write for the teens who don’t need romance, who don’t need hot guys, who don’t need to live through these fictional relationships. I hope I write realistic people, who go on a journey of self-discovery, regular teens with regular problems.

Don’t get me wrong, I see the need for the schmexy, lusty books. My sisters won’t read a book unless there’s a half-naked man with rippling abs on the cover. They love it. They need the escape, the fantasy.

I don’t. I mean the men are pretty and so are the women, but I’d rather go to a cool fantasy world and fight monsters or hang out in a haunted house. Though I don’t mind love…an honest attraction or a simple connection between two characters makes me smile and can enhance the story.

I can’t guarantee that romance won’t appear in my writing. I can’t always control what the characters do, how they feel, and who am I to say NO ROMANCE EVER! Emotions and developing relationships are real life, but I will more than likely stay away from the lusty stuff, for that has never felt real to me.

And I think that’s the thing. I need to believe in the love. So when one of my main characters told me that she had feelings for her best friend…yeah, well, I had to believe her. And they kissed and it was awkward and endearing…I hope.

So as I walked the convention halls plastered with images of men’s torsos and the promise of hormonal excitement, I felt empowered to write for people like me. To add my voice to the chorus. Isn’t that what art is supposed to do? Give every view, every opinion, every way of life a voice.

Sachael Desires Blog Tour

Tags

danger, fantasy, Melody Winter, NA, review, romance, Sachael Desires, thoughts

Today, I am supposed to share my thoughts about Melody Winter’s second book in the Mine Series… Sachael Desires.

Yup. That one.

During her ordeal with the Sect, Estelle Bailey dreamt of escaping back into the arms of the sea—and Azariah. But freedom came at a price, and though she’s back with the Sachael who’s stolen her heart, she’s also land-bound until the next full moon. And with the threat of Orontes looming ever larger behind them, Azariah, Estelle, and Michael—her once-captor turned rescuer and friend—are on the run.  Following Michael’s lead, they seek sanctuary amidst the natural beauty of the Orkney and Shetland Islands until Estelle can complete her next submergence ritual and Azariah can whisk her away to the safety of Saicean.  ​ ​ Secrets, betrayals, and old enemies await them, though, and as events spiral out of control, Azariah makes a decision that puts all their lives at risk, forcing Estelle to face a journey she never wanted to take. With time running out and tempers running high, her only hope to save the man she loves lies in a reconciliation between two kingdoms who despise each other.

Book Two in the Mine Series, Sachael Desires further expands on the intricate underwater world of the Sachaels, and the hostility and isolation of not belonging.​

Get your copy today!
However, I haven’t finished it!

So, lucky readers, you get to hear my ramblings about being halfway through now… and later be entertained by a full review later.

Twice the fun.

Now the reason I haven’t finished has nothing to do with the book! I am enjoying it! The writing. The story. The characters. The fantasy. The romance is okay…we’ve gone beyond the kissing people…and I will survive.

The prologue has all to do with my man Orontes. A bit of a bad boy, yes…but I love his strength and passion. So yea! #TeamOrontes

The story picks up fight where book one, Sachael Dreams, left us. Estelle has escaped from The Sect, run by Lillith, who has history with the Sachaels…not good history. Orontes, a member of The Sect and the other race of underwater dwellers, the Oceanids…not so much friends of the Sachaels… won’t give up so easily.

With her true love, the Sachael, Azariah by her side, Estelle hopes she can be safe, but danger of The Sect finding them still exists. And the only place they’ll be safe is in the Sachael world of Saicean!

YES PLEASE I WANT TO GO! A whole new world, an underwater world!

But not yet.

Ug.

Anyway. The second book is giving me just what I wanted. More. I knew Azariah couldn’t be a complete mushy-gushy goodie-goodie, there’s another layer to him. And I have to say that I like him a bit better. Though I will not be swayed to #TeamAzariah. Nope.

Through all the running and hiding, Estelle is becoming a strong character. Finally we push beyond the love-struck girl. She survived being held captive. She knows the danger lurking out in the world. And the secret of her identity has sunk in. She’s not curled up in a corner, crying. She’s scared… the unknown place of the Sachaels waits to greet her.

The anger and hatred between Sachaels and Oceanids makes life interesting.

And I need to meet Kaimi, Azariah’s father! Dude. Talk about bad boys…I have a feeling this guy will blow them all away. #TeamKaimi anyone? Will Melody allow that?

Maybe?

And Michael hasn’t disappeared. I’m glad. I like him, he adds a bit of newness, innocence…fun. For his secret is out now.

Crazy ex-girlfriends.

Old friends with terrible tales, and hopefully happy endings.

And last night I stopped reading right when Orontes and Lilith show up. Dude. The you-know-what has hit-eth the fan-eth.

SO I DON’T KNOW WHEN MY TRIP TO SAICEAN WILL OCCUR!

If you’ll excuse me… I must finish this book.

 

 

 

Sachael Desires…Release Day and Blog Tour!

Tags

fantasy, Melody Winter, NA book, romance, Sachael Desries, Sachael Dreams, The Mine Series

Anyone read Book one in The Mine Series, Sachael Dreams? I did!

Anyone dying to find out what happens? To maybe see a bit more Orontes or meet Lilith? ME! #TeamOrontes

Or, I suppose, hang out with Azariah again? Those #TeamAzariah people exist out there…

Anyway, we need more of Estelle’s journey! And here it is! Book 2 anyway, we’ll have to wait for the rest.

Today is the day!

During her ordeal with the Sect, Estelle Bailey dreamt of escaping back into the arms of the sea—and Azariah. But freedom came at a price, and though she’s back with the Sachael who’s stolen her heart, she’s also land-bound until the next full moon. And with the threat of Orontes looming ever larger behind them, Azariah, Estelle, and Michael—her once-captor turned rescuer and friend—are on the run.  Following Michael’s lead, they seek sanctuary amidst the natural beauty of the Orkney and Shetland Islands until Estelle can complete her next submergence ritual and Azariah can whisk her away to the safety of Saicean.  ​ ​ Secrets, betrayals, and old enemies await them, though, and as events spiral out of control, Azariah makes a decision that puts all their lives at risk, forcing Estelle to face a journey she never wanted to take. With time running out and tempers running high, her only hope to save the man she loves lies in a reconciliation between two kingdoms who despise each other.

Book Two in the Mine Series, Sachael Desires further expands on the intricate underwater world of the Sachaels, and the hostility and isolation of not belonging.​

And there’s a trailer! See it here.

Get your copy today!

Growing up, Melody Winter showed a natural ability in art, a head for maths, and a tendency to write far too long English essays. Difficult to place in the world when she graduated, she pursued a career in teaching, but eventually ended up working in Finance. Melody is convinced the methodical time she spends working with numbers fuels her desire to drift into dream worlds and write about the illusory characters in her head.

Melody Winter lives in North Yorkshire, England, with her husband and two sons. When not dealing with football, rugby, and a whole plethora of ‘boy’ activities, she will be found scribbling notes for her stories, or preparing for another trip to the beach. With an obsession for anything mythical, Melody revels in reading and writing about such creatures. In fact, if she wasn’t such a terrible swimmer, she’d say she was a mermaid.

Sachael Desires is her second book in the New Adult Romantic Fantasy series – the ‘Mine Series’.
Learn more about Melody Winter on her website, twitter or facebook.

GIVEAWAY ALERT!

Enter here!

Go tell Melody Winter CONGRATS on her second book! And if it strikes you fancy? Go get your copy.

SACHAEL DESIRES… Cover Reveal

Tags

book, cover reveal, fantasy, Melody Winter, NA, romance, Sachael Desires

Today I am honored to help share Melody Winter’s newest cover for the next book in her series…

Drumroll please….

…

…

…

 

It’s just kinda GORGEOUS…

I am looking forward to reading this one! The first one had a lot of kissing (and we all know about me and kissing)…

…but once Orontes showed up and the mystery deepened, I was in.

A bit about this new book that releases next month…

Book Two in the Mine Series, Sachael Desires further expands on the intricate underwater world of the Sachaels, and the hostility and isolation of not belonging.​

During her ordeal with the Sect, Estelle Bailey dreamt of escaping back into the arms of the sea—and Azariah. But freedom came at a price, and though she’s back with the Sachael who’s stolen her heart, she’s also land-bound until the next full moon. And with the threat of Orontes looming ever larger behind them, Azariah, Estelle, and Michael—her once-captor turned rescuer and friend—are on the run.  Following Michael’s lead, they seek sanctuary amidst the natural beauty of the Orkney and Shetland Islands until Estelle can complete her next submergence ritual and Azariah can whisk her away to the safety of Saicean.  ​ ​ Secrets, betrayals, and old enemies await them, though, and as events spiral out of control, Azariah makes a decision that puts all their lives at risk, forcing Estelle to face a journey she never wanted to take. With time running out and tempers running high, her only hope to save the man she loves lies in a reconciliation between two kingdoms who despise each other.

Add to goodreads

 

Growing up, Melody Winter showed a natural ability in art, a head for maths, and a tendency to write far too long English essays. Difficult to place in the world when she graduated, she pursued a career in teaching, but eventually ended up working in Finance. Melody is convinced the methodical time she spends working with numbers fuels her desire to drift into dream worlds and write about the illusory characters in her head.

Melody Winter lives in North Yorkshire, England, with her husband and two sons. When not dealing with football, rugby, and a whole plethora of ‘boy’ activities, she will be found scribbling notes for her stories, or preparing for another trip to the beach. With an obsession for anything mythical, Melody revels in reading and writing about such creatures. In fact, if she wasn’t such a terrible swimmer, she’d say she was a mermaid.

Sachael Desires is her second book in the New Adult Romantic Fantasy series – the ‘Mine Series’.
Learn more about Melody Winter on her website, twitter or facebook.

 

A Review of Sachael Dreams

Tags

book review, fantasy, Melody Winter, NA, romance, Sachael Dreams

Twenty-two-year-old Estelle Bailey has had enough of busy city-life and her hot-tempered ex. She escapes to the seclusion and peace of her family’s clifftop home in Ravenscar, where the soothing solitude whispers to her soul as strongly as the sea itself does. But her newfound contentment is interrupted when a mysterious man—a Sachael, master of seduction—joins her midnight swim unexpectedly.

Estelle struggles against his charm and the overpowering attraction she feels for him. He offers her a life she never could have imagined, a life beneath the waves . . . but at what cost? Before she can decide, she’s captured, ensnared by the Sect, a secret enemy of the Sachaels, becoming a pawn in a war she knew nothing about.

Now, she’s left with a new choice—escape the clutches of the Sect and flee into the ocean, or side with her alluring, intimidating captor and destroy the Sachaels forever. Can she turn her back on the man she might love, or will the secret of her heritage change everything?

Set against a picturesque backdrop, Sachael Dreams is the first in a new series, exploring themes of romance, love, and identity, and the struggle that happens when all three collide.

Get Sachael Dreams Today!

Growing up, Melody Winter showed a natural ability in art, a head for maths, and a tendency to write far too long English essays. Difficult to place in the world when she graduated, she pursued a career in teaching, but eventually ended up working in Finance. Melody is convinced the methodical time she spends working with numbers fuels her desire to drift into dream worlds and write about the illusory characters in her head.

Melody Winter lives in North Yorkshire, England, with her husband and two sons. When not dealing with football, rugby, and a whole plethora of ‘boy’ activities, she will be found scribbling notes for her stories, or preparing for another trip to the beach. With an obsession for anything mythical, Melody revels in reading and writing about such creatures. In fact, if she wasn’t such a terrible swimmer, she’d say she was a mermaid.

Sachael Dreams is her debut novel, and the first in her New Adult Romantic Fantasy series—the ‘Mine Series’.

You can view more of Melody Winter on her website, Twitter or Facebook.

She’s simply fabulous, so go say hi!

I was given a copy to read and review! LUCKY ME! And even though I don’t read romance…

I said YES! Hello… fantasy people. Sachaels. How can I not read it?

And now onto my thoughts…

I give this book four stars.

We begin with a prologue. Lilith. Some people don’t like prologues, but this one was perfect. Her story stays with us after we move on… to Estelle. What happened to Lilith… will it happen to Estelle?

That kept me reading, the mystery, the questions.

For it starts with a shell. And continues with a voice, one that haunts Estelle’s dreams. Azariah. But who is this stranger? Can we trust him?

Azariah, a sachael, a creature from the sea, seems very nice. A little too nice for me, but Estelle begins to fall for him. In the end, this is a romance, kids. I am not a big fan of romance. The first half of the book did, I admit, have me rolling my eyes at all the so much in love parts, the so happy parts, the sappy stuff, the I-want-him-SO-MUCH-but-I-just-don’t-know parts.

So, you kept reading, Kathy? You might ask? Well… that prologue… it stuck with me, making me wonder, question. And Sachaels. Fantasy.

And the entire book is extremely well-written, descriptions, emotions… everything. And the characters…

I like Estelle, there is something to this girl. And the mystery of her family is fascinating.

Azariah bores me a bit, falling a little flat, BUT he is not just some flirty fish-man, he has hidden sides, I glimpsed them.

Michael is a nice guy, just mixed up with the bad crowd.

Which brings us to Orontes… who is awesome. Sure he’s bad, but so powerful, and knows what he wants. Bad boys for the win!

Seriously, people, after reading this, pick your favorite guy, and tweet the author @MelodyWinter with your choice.

#teamAzariah?

#teamMichael?

#teamOrontes? – pick this one! (picture… THOR… enough said)

Yes, there are teams. No, I do not think we will have to meet on the battlefield… at least, not yet.

Anyway, I’m getting distracted by the men.

Last but not least the setting. Ravenscar is a character in itself. And someday, I’m going, cause it’s real and sounds like heaven!

Once the story gets going, and it does, the action pulled me right along. The mysteries kept my mind spinning with ideas. The answers satisfied and intrigued me. And the ending put a smile on my face, even though a battle would have been very cool. (I expect a big fight later in the series… yup)

But the story isn’t finished. Will I, the non-romance reader, read the rest of the series? Yup.

For one, I need to see the underwater world! NEED! This is what I live for… fantasy!

Two, I want to know the other sides of Azariah, looking forward to him developing.

Three, I want to meet Lilith (she’s still around!), to see how she has been affected by her past.

Four, the mystery of Estelle. HOW… WHY DOES SHE EXIST?

Five, Orontes… I like him. There must be a bit more to his story. Right, Melody?

Right, Melody?

Anywho… I shall move on with my day and read a horror book. Happy reading, everyone!