Stacy Gold's Blog, page 8
August 30, 2019
Random musings: Consent in romance and real life
Consent in Romance Novels – Sexy or Not Sexy?
In the #MeToo era I’m always shocked to hear someone say they don’t think consent belongs in romance novels because it kills the mood. Sure, early romance novels featured plenty of rape, or at least strong coercion, that turned into willing participation. But that was to preserve the heroine’s reputation.
It wasn’t her fault the sex happened, but the hero was so good in bed she ended up loving it—and him. Except those days are long gone. Or they should be.
Today women are allowed to enjoy sex because it is enjoyable. We should also be allowed to determine whom we want to engage in sex with, and when, and how. None of us owe anybody sex, no matter what they’ve said, done, or paid for for us. That’s where consent comes in.
Consent is hella-sexy.
Who doesn’t get turned on knowing they’re making their partner feel good. Or knowing their partner wants more of whatever they’re doing, more of them.
Really, is there anything hotter than someone saying, “I want you now.” Or, a new partner thoughtful enough to ask, “Are you sure?”
The same holds true in romance novels. My characters aren’t
stopping to sign a consent waiver in the middle of foreplay. There is no dry
side discussion of what’s going to be okay and what’s not while the guy’s got a
raging stiffie.
Consent is as simple as whispering what they want in their partner’s ear. It could be one person saying fuck me, please. Or the other person asking, “Do you want me inside you?” and getting a resounding YES in return.
Like so…
—-
Jules
squirmed and groaned.
“Please,
Evan.” She pushed gently on my head and rocked her hips.
I
looked her in the eye. “Please, what?”
She
bit her lip, gaze wide and clear. “Please lick my clit and fuck me with your
fingers until I come all over your hand.”
My
dick turned into a concrete post and it was a miracle I didn’t come right then
and there.
“As
you wish.”
—-
That right there is consent loud and clear from both parties, and I think it’s sexy as hell. It’s an ongoing conversation, a give and a take. And both parties know it can be taken away at any moment, even though they’ve had sex once before.
In every steamy book I read or write, I want consent to be integral to the story. Depending on whether it’s given or taken away, it can show kindness or vulnerability. Caring or callousness. No matter what, it’s critical to building trust and intimacy in a relationship.
Lack of consent equals assault or rape.
What’s not sexy is asking for consent, getting rejected, and doing it anyway. Lack of consent is coercion and assault at best, rape at worst. That’s the last thing we need to be glorifying on the page, on the screen, or in our own bedrooms.
Women need the agency and safety to be able to say what they do not want in the bedroom and beyond. Any man who doesn’t ask for, or wait for, consent is avoiding getting turned down.
Because of the power dynamics between men and women, many women give in rather than stand firm because it’s easier. It’s also sometimes physically safer, even though every woman who acquiesces when we don’t want to pays a price emotionally.
That’s not sexy at all. It’s scary and horrifying and can make a person never want to have sex again. So, I say we all say yes to consent, all the time. In real life and romance novels.
How do you feel about consent in romance novels? Does it
bother you, or do you like it? Please do share your thoughts below…
The post Random musings: Consent in romance and real life appeared first on Stacy Gold.
August 13, 2019
Book Review: Overnight Sensation by Sarina Bowen
Sarina Bowen Delivers Another Fun, Flirty, Steamy Hockey Romance
I can’t say I’ve read every book by Sarina Bowen (Because, have you seen the size of her backlist? When does this woman sleep, or eat?), but every one I have read has been at least very good if not great. Once again, Ms. Bowen delivers. Overnight Sensation is my second favorite of her books so far next to Him (cowritten with Elle Kennedy, Him is A++ fantastic–so good I read it twice).
Give me a romance where the characters are more layered than you initially realize, and then grow and change. Throw in a dash of humor, a pinch of angst, and a whole lot of sexual tension and I’m in. This book has all of that and more, in spades.
Heidi, who is a slightly annoying secondary character in another book in this series, Brooklynaire, has much more to her than meets the eye in this steamy love story. While I’m not particularly a hockey fan, I always enjoy a seemingly tough guy like Jason who’s deep down a softy. These two have loads of issues to unpack on the road to falling in love, and the journey is at least as good as the destination.
Totally binge-worthy. Buy it now, but don’t start reading it until the weekend or you’re going to be really tired at work the next day.
The post Book Review: Overnight Sensation by Sarina Bowen appeared first on Stacy Gold.
July 30, 2019
More Accolades for In Deep
I am pleased as punch to announce that second novella in the Emerald Mountain Series, In Deep, has done it again. In addition to winning the N.N. Light Book Award for Best of Erotic Romance in 2018, it was recently given an Award of Merit as a Finalist for Best First Book in the Virginia Romance Writer’s 2019 HOLT Medallion Awards!
The HOLT Awards are judged by avid romance readers, so it’s a real indicator of how good readers find a book to be. While it’s always nice to win, it’s an honor to have been chosen as a finalist for this prestigious award.
Grab your copy of In Deep here.
About In Deep
Sophie Tremore is trying to build a career in the male-dominated
world of Ski Patrol. Hard to do when her new boss is her smokin’ hot ex-lover.
She hasn’t forgotten how he made her body tingle and her heart pound, although
he’s making it a lot easier by treating her like she’s incompetent—when he’s
not ignoring her existence altogether.
Emerald Mountain Ski Patrol Director Max Demford has been doing
his best to avoid working with his feisty former flame, given his judgment is
clouded by those eight mind-blowing weeks two years ago. Ski patrol is
dangerous enough, and no way could he handle another person he cares about
getting hurt on the mountain.
Forced to work together, their simmering attraction becomes difficult to ignore. When Sophie gets caught in a slide, an adrenaline-filled day could turn into a spectacular night they will never forget—one that could risk both their careers.
Read a sample of In Deep here.
What readers are saying about In Deep
“The queen of sexual tension, Stacy Gold, is back with a smokin’
hot ski romance novella perfect to warm you up this winter!” N. N. Light, Top
International Reviewer
“5 Stars! I loved this book – the characters, the setting, the
hot chemistry, and the skiing and ski patrolling.” Amazon Reviewer
“Stacy Gold has done it again! Melding fantastic scenery,
outdoor sports and real characters she gives us this hot romp through the snow.”
Amazon Reviewer
“Another great ski and romance story from Ms. Gold.” Amazon
Reviewer
“It’s hard to put her stories down once you start reading.” Amazon
Reviewer
“The romance is hot and the snow is cold and deep.” Amazon
Reviewer
“Max and Sophie’s tortured relationship is HOT!!” Amazon Reviewer
“Ms. Gold takes risk with this battle of the sexes as she
tackles hot button topics and attention grabbing scenes with heart-stopping
romance.” Amazon Reviewer
“If you like fun, steamy romances, I highly recommend this book.”
Amazon Reviewer
“Fast-paced read with good characters, suspense and steam…” Amazon
Reviewer
“I love this story for its clever situation of danger, lust, compassion, and adventure without leaving your warm home. I would recommend this book with 10 cold chills out of 10!” Heartracer – Reading Alley Reviews
Grab your copy of In Deep now.
The post More Accolades for In Deep appeared first on Stacy Gold.
July 12, 2019
Random Musings: The Five Biggest Relationship Lies
Everyone
In my teens and twenties I was your typical relationship
pessimist. My parent’s marriage seemed a thing of evil, and I couldn’t understand
why anyone would get married voluntarily.
Until I met my husband twenty-one years ago.
I was in my late twenties and convinced I was destined to
spend my life alone. And I was okay with that. I’d realized it was better to be
alone than to be lonely (or abused, or maligned, or mistreated, or
disrespected) with someone else.
Now I know it’s even better to be with someone who is your best friend. Someone you love and respect, who loves and respects you back. Someone you genuinely want to make happy, and who wants to make you happy.
Focusing on each other’s happiness makes everyone happy, and life is better played as a team sport.
Not that you would know it based on what we see and hear in
the media. We’ve all heard the jokes—and not just from comedians. We’ve all
seen the shitty, toxic, unhealthy relationships normalized in movies, TV shows,
and in far too many stories. Like that’s all fine and well and good.
Well it’s not. It’s not okay to treat people like
shit—especially the ones we supposedly love. Yet we’re led to believe that’s
just how relationships work. Except in romance novels, where women get to have
love, respect, and more.
Here are the five most damaging modern relationship
myths:
The Ol’ Ball & Chain. Who the hell willingly puts a ball and chain around their ankle like a prisoner? Only people who don’t know any better. Because for years they’ve been told that’s what you expect from hetero relationships and marriage—a prison.
Men should marry an attractive woman who gives up her own ambitions to birth and raise their kids while the men go to work, and golf, and hang out with the guys. The men are then supposed to put up with constant nagging, ridiculous overspending on frivolous stuff, or passive/aggressive behavior (which, in light of the preceding sentence, seems a pretty natural reaction).
Not that they’re likely to treat their wife any better. Because both parties are going to be bitter and unhappy and trapped in their situation—I mean, they can’t divorce because “What about the kids???”. So now their kids grow up thinking this is normal relationship dynamic, too. Lovely.
Marry for money, power, and/or looks. Find a partner who checks all the boxes on paper and damn the rest. Who cares if your morals, values, or interests are completely different? You both want marriage and financial success (and probably kids). You want to be that great-looking, “perfect” couple everyone envies. And that should be enough.
Only it never is. Money, power, and looks are superficial and can disappear overnight. Screw that. Find someone you admire and respect, and most of all, enjoy spending time with. Someone you can have deep conversations with. Someone who laughs at your jokes. That will make you far happier.
Fake it ‘til you make it. Pretend to be whoever your desired partner wants until you have them locked down in a committed relationship, then let your true colors show (usually around the six-month mark). This is a sure recipe for a happy relationship–NOT.
Sadly, often people who fake it are afraid no one will like who they really are, but they never give anyone a chance to get to know the real person inside. And if their partner decides to break up once they realize the truth, then it’s another self-fulfilling prophecy (“I showed them the real me and got rejected. Again.”).
Be yourself. Find people who like you for all your strange quirks and interests, instead of in spite of them.
Sorry, I’ve got a headache. Women in hetero relationships don’t want or like sex. They only pretend to in the beginning to lure a man. Once married, or in a relationship for more than two years, any sex life is over (cough *bullshit* cough).
This is likely true if the guy isn’t fully invested in making sure the woman is well-pleasured. I mean, why would women bother if they’re not getting anything out of it? It’s just another task on the to-do list (check out my recent post on this subject)?
The big issue here is that if men believe woman don’t enjoy or want sex, they’re less likely to make an effort to ensure a woman’s enjoyment or desire. Once again, it’s a self-fulfilling prophecy. Everybody’s relationships are dysfunctional as hell, so yours is totally fine. Besides, it’s a woman’s duty to stay and support her man no matter what.
We’ve seen this on TV for decades. I mean…Archie Bunker treated Edith like a doormat to the point it made me uncomfortable as a child. Watching Carrie let Big string her along for years on Sex in the City made me want to smack both of them. The list goes on and on.
Then there was all the backlash against Ariana Grande for breaking up with Mac Miller a few months before he committed suicide—despite the fact he was an addict. And I haven’t even touched on all the unhealthy reality TV relationships that’ve existed since MTV invented The Real World, and The Bachelor and the Kardashian’s took over pop culture.
Yes, healthy relationships do take work (you have to prioritize time with your partner, you have to listen and share, you have to be thoughtful), but they shouldn’t BE work. Not in the way we define work today. Instead it should be your passion project (literally and figuratively).
While much of the media perpetuates the lies, thankfully we
have good romance novels to show us examples of happy, healthy, loving,
supportive relationships. We need those examples, because in the end, we each must
take responsibility for our relationships with others, and ourselves.
The post Random Musings: The Five Biggest Relationship Lies appeared first on Stacy Gold.
June 27, 2019
Book Review: A Father for Her Child
While I don’t read much Harlequin, I find a good mountain town ski romance pretty irresistible (go figure). And I always enjoy Laurel Greer’s books. The second in her Sutter Creek, Montana series, this is a swoony friends-to-lovers story with a dash of steam.
Zach, an injured ski-patroller, is a man who’s easy to fall in love with (trust me, I did). He’s genuine and caring, with a solid moral compass, and he loves kids. Cadie, a physical therapist and single mom, is working to prove her strength and independence after losing her husband — who happened to be Zach’s best friend — in an avalanche the previous year.
When that means convincing Zach to become her client, sparks fly. I was definitely rooting for them to make it work by mid-book, but the figurative ghost of her deceased husband gets in the way.
If you’re looking for a page-turning romantic read look no further. You’ll glide right through to the end. It’s available in print now, and for preorder on Kindle. Grab your copy here.
If you enjoy it, be sure to check out Ms. Greer’s first book in the series, From Exes to Expecting.
The post Book Review: A Father for Her Child appeared first on Stacy Gold.
June 13, 2019
Random Musings: Romance Novels & the Hot Guy/Hot Sex Fantasy
Just the other day, a man on Twitter (who claimed to be a
lover of the romance genre) asked why all the men in romance novels are good-looking,
fit, and muscular. My reaction was, why shouldn’t they be?
In most (but thankfully not all) books or movies written by
and for hetero men, at best the female characters are the very definition of
beautiful—thin, pretty without makeup but always perfectly made up, and fit but
not strong. At worst they’re caricatures of real women with big tits that don’t
move let alone ever need a bra, and the ability to run, cook, and generally
live in stilettos 24/7.
These images tell us, daily, that if we’re not thin and
pretty enough, no one will ever love us. Pile on all the advertisements and
articles designed to make us feel less-than—unless we buy whatever they’re
selling—and it would be easy to think that’s true.
Romances, on the other hand, are fantasies where women get exactly what the want in life, love, and bed.
Why shouldn’t we fantasize about handsome, strong men who can fuck us standing up without getting winded, if that’s what floats our boats? Furthermore, while people fall in love with people all kinds of body types, what’s so wrong with expecting your partner to be fit and healthy in real life? Or well-dressed, nice-smelling, polite and thoughtful?
Maybe because men who aren’t fit, or financially successful,
or talented in some amazing way, feel threatened by the men portrayed in
romances. The problem is, they only see the surface and not the subtext.
Romances aren’t just about attractive people having sex and falling in love because they’re both so attractive. They’re about finding someone who likes you and respects you and genuinely wants to spend time with you because they think you’re awesome. It’s about being with a partner who takes your needs, and your happiness, into consideration.
If the romance falls on the steamy side, they’re also about consent and sexual satisfaction. About wanting to give the other person an orgasm because you love them and want to make them feel good.
Should women deserve or expect orgasms?
I’ve seen this question bandied about too many times to
count. And again, my response was, why shouldn’t we?
A while back I blogged about comedian Liza Treyger’s set in the Deplorables Netflix special. At one point she questions the audience about expectations regarding sex. Men, according to her informal poll, expect to orgasm every time. It’s a given. Unquestioned.
Women, on the other hand, are thrilled and excited when they
orgasm. And it definitely doesn’t always, or even often, often—especially with
a new partner. Yet so many men wonder why women don’t want to have sex more
often.
I mean, why would we? If we aren’t orgasming, or at least
being made to feel damn good for a reasonably extended period of time, what’s
in it for us? Sex becomes another one of many emotional labor tasks.
In case you’re not familiar with the term emotional labor, here’s a terrific explanation from Leah Fessler’s Quartz.com article on the topic:
“Every adult…has received a gift they really didn’t like. And as long as you’re not a horrible person, you’ve tried, at least once, to mask that dissatisfaction so as to make your friend or relative feel good about themselves—probably because you genuinely cared about the gift-giver’s happiness and self-confidence…
You’re doing so because you want to maintain a healthy relationship, and because you feel pressure to be caring.”
Bad or lackluster sex is the gift a woman doesn’t really like. But she’ll try to mask her dissatisfaction so her partner doesn’t feel bad about themselves. If men want women to WANT to have sex, they have to make it good for us too. Because every woman deserves a good orgasm as much as the next guy.
Do you want your partner(s) to be happy? Really?
Ninety-nine percent of the time (okay maybe ninety-five),
the response to this question is a resounding, “Yes. Of course.” Yet look at
how few people act like that’s the truth in their relationships.
I know a man who won’t scratch his wife’s back when it itches. Such a simple gesture to make his wife happy, and he refuses. They both bitch about their marriage and each other, constantly. And she isn’t interested in sex with him anymore. Go figure.
They both swear they want each other to be happy. Riiiiiiiight. Suuuuuuuuure.
If you don’t try to make your partner happy outside of bed, I sincerly doubt you try very hard in bed.
“Women are constantly told it’s fantasy to expect fidelity, respect, and orgasms in this life, and to seek the same in our reading. It’s not.”
Romance author Tessa Dare
Women (and frankly every person regardless of how you identify or who or how you fuck) are equally deserving of genuine love and respect, and serious sexual pleasure. Why wouldn’t we be? Seriously.
We shouldn’t just expect all this, we should demand it. I did, and I’ve been happily married almost twenty years. We still have great sex because he prioritizes my happiness in bed and out.
Yes, it asks more of men. It asks them to be engaged, and thoughtful, and supportive. It asks them to learn what pleasures women, then learn what the woman they’re with likes best—with zero judgement. It asks them to put off their own orgasm for a little while to make sure the woman is satisfied first.
Bottom line? It asks men to do something more than just buy drinks or dinner or jewelery. Liza Treyger had it right when she said that’s really the least men can do.
The post Random Musings: Romance Novels & the Hot Guy/Hot Sex Fantasy appeared first on Stacy Gold.
May 31, 2019
Random Musings: Media Representation, Romance Novels, and Changing Norms
Romance Novels Have the Power to Transform Our Relationships with Ourselves, and Others
The impact of media on societal norms has been on my mind for years, but it was a recent article celebrating Sesame Street’s fiftieth anniversary that made me realize I needed to write about it.
Because, the iconic show’s founders had a bigger goal than simply creating effective and entertaining educational programming for kids. They wanted to support disenfranchised children of color in particular.
That’s why the show so many of us grew with started with the most diverse cast ever seen on TV at the time. That’s why they all lived in harmony on a typical lower-income city street. And everyone treated each other with kindness and respect.
What we see, hear, and read has tremendous power to alter our perceptions, actions, and attitudes.
Psychologists and marketers figured out a while ago that the images we see on the screen or page, and the words we hear and read, make a difference in how we see the world. Human beings are hardwired to learn from stories. And we make decisions based largely on emotion not logic, especially fear.
Add in the social proof so prevalent in advertising and social media, and the simple power of seeing somebody else do something… Well, that makes us believe we can (or should, or have to) do it too.
Pundits have talked a lot about “normalizing” behaviors and attitudes over the past two years, especially when it comes to hate crimes and hate speech. Why? Because the more we see, hear, and read about something the more normal it becomes. We become desensitized to it.
If everyone else is doing it, it must be okay, or even good for us to do it too. Certainly it becomes what’s expected. Nothing out of the ordinary. Nothing to see here, move along.
When it’s hate crimes that’s bad. When it teaches us to respect others and treat them with kindness, and expect the same for ourselves, it’s fantastic. Like Sesame Street.
When it comes to romance novels, normalizing can be very, very good.
For many years, the vast majority of romance novels had a heroine being saved by the strong and virile hero. While the billionaire who swoops and rescues the poor/naive/virginal young woman still exists, modern romance is also a hotbed of feminism and equality.
Romances have the power to show women, and minorities, and other normally disenfranchised people getting exactly what they want out of their lives, careers, and relationships. Today stories feature successful women (and POC, LGBTQ and disabled and marginalized people) who know what they want and don’t want to settle for less.
They don’t need a hero to rescue them, or sometimes even marriage or a child. But they do want a partner (or partners) who loves, supports, and respects them. And they want great sex.
We all need to see more woman and diverse people having happy, sexually satisfying, mutually supportive relationships. Just like we need to see more diverse characters on screen and on the page so they become normal instead of “other”.
Because while books may be escapist fantasies, they also teach us about other people and other ways to live. They show us what we should expect, and what we should believe. When it comes to getting the love, success, respect, and hot sex we deserve, we need all the examples we can get.
Has a book or movie ever changed how you see yourself or someone else? Has one ever inspired you to demand more from your relationships and life?
Please do comment and share your thoughts below.
The post Random Musings: Media Representation, Romance Novels, and Changing Norms appeared first on Stacy Gold.
May 15, 2019
Book Review: Some Assistance Required
If you’re looking for a fun, fast, and quirky read, look no further! Some Assistance Required is a fresh cross between Piers Anthony’s classic punny fantasy Xanth series and Charlaine Harris’ Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood books.
In Ms. Ogilvie’s book, vampires and werewolves have openly integrated into human society. But they’re joined by a whole host of fantastical and magical creatures who’ve come into Canada via a portal opened in the City of Doorwayen. They serve as players in a pun-filled story where the main characters never take themselves too seriously–even when lives are at stake. And I mean that in the best possible way.
With it’s unique mix of fantasy and humor, plus a dash of romance, this book hooked me right from the start and didn’t let go. I ripped through it in less than a day. I highly recommend it (and her stand-alone time travel novel, Skipping Out On Henry), to anyone looking to spend a few hours smirking and giggling at the page. Grab a copy now.
The post Book Review: Some Assistance Required appeared first on Stacy Gold.
May 2, 2019
Random Musings: Diversity, Politics, Love, and Romance Novels
A couple weeks ago, I took a trip to Washington DC with my
best girlfriend. Neither of us had been there since we were kids. And neither
of us was prepared for how emotional the visit would prove to be.
Honestly, we decided to go on a whim because I was on the
East Coast visiting her, and DC is only three hours away. It seems like a great
excuse for a quick girlfriend’s getaway without her son or partner.
While it was a great getaway—we talked and laughed, we ate good
food, and we saw the sites— it ended up being so much more. Because we found
ourselves standing at the intersection of the past and the present, of
yesterday’s norms and today’s reality.
From the moment we set foot on the stairs of the Lincoln Memorial, surrounded by people of every color speaking languages from around the world, we were both overwhelmed. All these people had come from all over to understand and celebrate the characteristics and moral values America was built on. The ones that make our melting pot country strong. The ones that inspire others to create their own “American Dream”.
The dichotomy between our reality standing on the street,
and the rhetoric coming from the capital building just blocks away, was almost
too much to reconcile. Especially while gazing at quotes from Lincoln, FDR,
Martin Luther King, Jr. and more. And visiting the Declaration of Independence
and Constitution.
“We have faith that future generations will know that here, in the middle of the twentieth century, came a time when men of good will found a way to unite, and produce, and fight to destroy the forces of ignorance, and intolerance, and slavery, and war.” Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 1943
Seventy-six years later, we’re still fighting to destroy the forces of ignorance, and intolerance, and slavery, and war.
I couldn’t help thinking about the recent calls for
diversity in movies and TV, as well as in books, and romance novels in particular.
The Civil War ended in 1865, yet there are people who still don’t believe that
people of color (any color, really. Or people with disabilities. Or people with
different sexual orientations. Or frankly anyone who doesn’t look or act just
like us.) are human beings just like everyone else.
That the vast majority of us, regardless of the color of our skin, the shape of our eyes, or the language we speak, all want the same things. Our fundamental desires are simply human. Not relegated to one kind or color of person or another. We all want to be able to live our lives with freedom. The freedom to choose our jobs, our lifestyles, our religions, and our partners.
We want to be able to support ourselves and our families. To
put good food on the table, a solid roof over our heads, and clothing on our
backs. When we are sick, we want access to healthcare. We want clean air to
breath and clean water to drink.
“The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much, it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.” Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 1937
If it’s not too much to ask, we’d all prefer to have these
options and opportunities without fear of violence, rape, murder, war, and mass
shootings.
“Freedom of speech…Freedom of worship…Freedom from want…Freedom from fear.” Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 1941
And I think most of us want a sense of community, a sense of
family, and a sense of value.
We all want to love and be loved.
America is a country
built on diversity.
That is an undeniable truth. We are a country of immigrants.
While diversity has been our strength, it’s also turning in to our Achilles’
heel. When we let ourselves become divided into us and them, we are no longer
the United States of America.
It’s no different than when we forget that we welcome
immigrants with these words:
“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore,” she wrote. “Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
These words on the Statue of Liberty said nothing about the
color of anyone’s skin, their religion, their national origin, or their sexual
orientation.
Walking through the bustling streets of DC, I could see and
hear and feel our diversity. It made me proud and happy to be an American, even
if I’m not proud of everything that’s happening right now.
Writing romance, for me, is an act of resistance against the divisive politics of today–and an act of love.
That doesn’t mean I write about diversity, or religion, or
politics overtly. It means all characters are worthy, regardless of the color
of their skin, or where they’re from, or who they sleep with, or who they pray
to, or any disabilities they may have. It means I have an opportunity to show
people that everyone has value.
That everyone should have the choice to be who they want, do what they want, and love who they want—as long as they’re not hurting anyone else.
That everyone should be treated equally, and everyone deserves love.
Maybe, by doing that, I can help change minds. One reader at
a time.
The post Random Musings: Diversity, Politics, Love, and Romance Novels appeared first on Stacy Gold.
March 28, 2019
Book Review: Make You Mine
Far this Year
I’ve read seven romances since January. Or at least tried to (see my recent blog posts on Quality vs Quantity and Why I DNF Books). Out of those, only one has stood out as worth reviewing—because I only write reviews of books good enough to recommend to others. If it ain’t four star of better, you won’t hear about it from me!
Make You Mine was fabulous. The kind of book that sucks you
in from the first page and doesn’t spit you out until long after you’re done.
It had just the right amounts of sex, sexual tension, angst, and love. Plus, a
twist or two I honestly didn’t see coming.
I’ll do my best to share the gist without spoilers (because
I’m cool like that). The story starts with a pair of late teens lovers who end
up torn apart by life, war, and fate. The setup emphasizes how much they’re
into each other, but they’re young, and it seems the biggest obstacle to being
together is that he’s her brother’s best friend. So, she is off limits. This helps
push the sexual and emotional tension off the charts from the first chapter.
When the two boys enlist, it adds a more adult level of
angst and emotion I wasn’t expecting at the beginning. The first twist, while a
little more obvious than later ones, does a great job of setting up the true
conflict between these lovers.
It’s the woman who chases the man in this one, which is
always refreshing. And the writing style goes down smooth and easy—which is
something I always look for in a book. I don’t want to think about the writing,
I want to be immersed in the story.
Anyhoo, I can’t say much more about Make You Mine without spoiling it, so I’ll just say buy it, read it, enjoy it, review it.
The post Book Review: Make You Mine appeared first on Stacy Gold.
