Blog
Someone to Love – Review
Rating: Five Stars – If you’re into historical romance, then this book is for you. Period. It’s been a long, long time since I’ve found a book that I can’t wait to get back to. Someone to Love was exactly that book. The characterizations for Avery and Anna were deep, well drawn, and produced a romance that was both inevitable and satisfying.
The Cruel Prince – Review
I’m intentionally not leaving a rating this time because I don’t think I’m the right audience for it. I didn’t finish it, but others will probably love it.
It turns out I am REALLY not into bully romances. Just, not at all. All the crap that the MC goes through in early chapters at the hands of the other fairies was so upsetting I just… ugh. I don’t read books to feel like that.
Wicked Intentions – Review
Rating: DNF – I was willing to put up with the mediocre writing, because the smut seemed promising. Unfortunately, I didn’t make it to the steamy scenes hinted at in early chapters, because it turns out Lord Caire is a magnificent asshole.
The Bechdel Test – A Rant
The Bechdel Test is a metric for female representation in fiction. In this day and age, it is no longer relevant.
What Romance Writers Know…
The question often comes up in general writer groups, what can other writers learn from your favorite genre? Guaranteed, someone will say “Romance writers know how to put tropes to good use” within the first five minutes.
Luther and Allison – One Plus Three Does Not Equal Four…
Every main character gets a romance at some point during the current two seasons. But Luther and Allison are supposed to be the epic love story.
Except they do it so half-assed it hurts to watch. I think this may be the only time I’ve ever seen a tv show or movie break the cardinal sin of “telling not showing.”
The Structure of a Short Story
This post is for anyone else who is learning by doing. Because over the summer (while writing Waking Up the Giants) I had an ah-hah moment.
Writing Close – Making Exceptions
This is (in my opinion) one of the most effective tools in the relationship toolbox. Don’t worry, I’ll go into way too much detail as to why, as usual.
The Doctor Donna
Okay, I know I said Rose was my favorite companion, but honestly Donna is kind of my favorite, too!
Waking Up the Giants
I am so excited to announce that my latest short story is available now! Waking Up the Giants is one of those niggling little stories that started out one way… and of course became something entirely new and amazing that I would have NEVER predicted.
This story started with a song, specifically Waking Up the Giants by Grizfolk. Every time this song came up on my playlist, I always thought, “Man, this could make a great story.”
And I was totally right.
Contrivance vs. Agency
I read an article lately warning authors against contrivances in their stories. But if you read it really closely, you may have spotted the “why” of it all. Why are contrivances bad?
Death by Snu Snu – Did Futurama Cross a Line in Sexism?
Okay, let me start this out by saying that Futurama is my all-time, hands-down, no-question, favorite show of all time.
But there is one episode that, even though it’s just as well done as every other, toes right up to the line of offensive. In case you couldn’t tell by the title, the episode in question is S03E05 Amazon Women in the Mood.
Did this episode cross a line in terms of consent and sexism? How far is too far?
Jeff and Annie – How Community Dropped the Ball on a Beloved Romance Trope
I think we can all agree that Community is one of the better caricature sitcoms out there. The acting, writing, and comedy gags are just spectacular. Top notch, especially in early seasons.
As a whole, Community is amazing. But for Jeff’s relationship arc with Annie? The writers totally shit the bed. It would have been fine to omit the romance entirely, but to tease us with it and then fail to deliver? Blech. Not cool cool cool.
Speechless – Review
I have to admit, I was really torn when it came to rating this one. On one hand, the characters and the paranormal aspect of the plot were fantastic. Just loved it.
I was strongly tempted to give this book three stars. But at the end of the day, I genuinely want to read the next book. I want to know what happens next! So despite the many technical failings, I have to be honest. It’s a four star book that simply lacks polish.
Emily Relaunch Cover Reveal
Emily will always have a special place in my heart. It is loosely based on my own high school experience, my friends and insecurities, and the early romance I had with my high school sweetheart and current husband, Kevin.
I never had to deal with a pregnant mother, but Emily’s mother is based loosely on my own. And though Kevin’s hobbies tend toward music, electronics, and pool (not reading like Finn), his steadfast spirit is there on the page.