So I go stalker status when it comes to my books. I don't just read reviews but also different forums, scoping them out to see what's what, or just plain heading over when someone alerts me, "hey your stuff is being talked about over here!"
One of the things I've noticed is that my latest book, Shattered & Scarred, is getting mostly positive things said about it but there are one or two things I've noticed that have been bothering me over this last week. I had hoped that by opening up my blog for a Q&A I would get to answer a couple of questions and address some of the concerns I've seen voiced about S&S but no one bit, and I really hate beating around the bush. It's not my style, so here we go:
#1 "This book was too 'fluffy' there wasn't enough 'angst' in it and it wasn't gritty enough."
Nope. There wasn't a whole lot of angst. I'm sorry you see it that way, and I'm sorry it disappointed you but you have to start somewhere and I wrote S&S that way because, I (and at least one person that has reviewed the book on amazon appreciated it) for one got tired of reading a bunch of depressing non-stop angst fests. When I read a romance, I want to feel a wide range of emotions and leave the experience feeling like the couple made it. I don't like leaving a book feeling like the couple have ripped each other to shreds emotionally and are both standing in the middle of the wreckage they created shrugging going "Well I guess we still have each other."
I am a sap, I like myself a happy ending, that doesn't mean that going forward it will always be so, that in the world of SHMC it's all unicorn farts and rainbows, because it's not and it won't be and that is as much as I am going to say on it because I don't want to give anything away. Just know this: There are at least six books and two novellas planned but it doesn't necessarily mean that it stops there.
#2 (And this is where in at least one posting my brain melted a little bit) I didn't like that the H shared the h with his BFF.
Why did my brain melt? Because someone said they didn't think the novel was real enough and gritty enough and then went 'ewe threesome!'
Wait what?
Number 2 bothers me because I feel, that as the author, I failed.
The threesome depicted wasn't supposed to be some raunchy "Hey buddy! You gotta try my girl's vajayjay! It's awesome!" No. No. No and did I say NO?
No what it was, was the ultimate declaration of love and trust, not just between the H & h but also the BFF. It was a one time deal and was more about the trust than the act its self. This was about the h saying without words to the H and the BFF 'I trust you, not just with my body but with my heart and with my mind as well." She'd been through a hell of a thing and this was something for her. To prove to herself that she was free and could make her own decisions and to declare to herself that her body was hers with which to do as she pleased as well as a declaration that despite the shot she went through before, that she was brave.
It was a very big step for her and a very needed step for her in her healing process, without that bit of emotional healing she would have never been able to handle things the way she did later on. So to those of you that have read the book, I apologize for failing you.
I will endeavor to do better in the future.
Those were really the only two things I've seen out there bothering me. Like I said, for the most part, everything I've seen about Shattered & Scarred has been positive. By no means is this to be taken as me being defensive all though I am sure to some it's being taken that way.
I just felt like, as an author, I missed the mark and that some sort of explanation was owed on these two points. Especially the second one. Over all, I feel like this needs to be said:
To all who have read, are reading or are going to read Shattered & Scarred: Thank you. Thank you for taking a chance on me, and for taking a chance on this cast of characters. Some of you have fallen in love, others can't wait to see what happens and then there are those of you who couldn't care less. Still. Thank you. Thank you for buying it. Thank you for reading it and thank you for letting me entertain you for just a little bit. I understand this book and my writing aren't for everyone and that's okay!
For those of you that are waiting for book two, and I know there are some of you out there I've been lurking remember? Hang in there. It'll be out in early September.
Again, thank you so very much for reading my stuff. I am ever so grateful!
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