To Kill or Not to Kill…
About a month ago, I was halfway through writing the third book in The Borders War series, Powerless, and I’d come to a crucial scene where I had a big decision to make… To kill or not to kill one of the more major characters.
If you take a look at my writing thus far, I don’t have a very good track record when it comes to saving lives versus taking them. So I’m not even going to pretend that it was my kindness that kept this character alive. Truthfully, you have the band Bastille, a long road trip in an uncomfortable car, and SJD Peterson to thank that this character didn’t end up biting it in a really gruesome way.
Authors make thousands of these types of decisions in each book. Most aren’t as monumental as life or death, but each one builds upon the others to construct (hopefully) characters that refuse to be forgotten and narratives that demand to be devoured.
Here’s the part I never could have anticipated, though. Since that decision was made, this character’s story has developed into a shockingly perfect arc. I cringe when I think about the nothingness that could have been if I’d gone ahead with the original plan.
As it stands now? There may just be a story to tell after Merq and Armise’s arc is over with. If this character can make it through the next two books :) Maybe it’s time for another road trip!
The Giveaway:
SAM: Leave a comment below about which books you think were flawlessly executed and one person will win an ebook from my backlist or a future release! A big thank you to Lisa for having me!!
TNA: It’s absolutely been my pleasure. Thanks so much for being here with us!
THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED
Available Now:
One Breath, One Bullet (The Borders War #1)
Dominant Predator (The Borders War #2)
Someday It Will Be
Crack the Darkest Sky Wide Open
Coming Soon:
An Immoveable Solitude – Januray 2014, preorder December 2013
Tread Marks & Trademarks – December 2013
Powerless (The Borders War #3) – Spring 2014
About me:
I sleep little, read a lot. Happiest in a foreign country. Twitchy when not mentally in motion.
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The Novel Approach Reviews 
In this genre, the first books to come to my mind is the Cut & Run series, maybe because Ty and Zane are my favorites. But pretty much anything Amy Lane writes qualifies too, as far as I’m concerned, Rhys Ford too. Otherwise, the Harry Potter series and the Black Dagger Brotherhood series too. Please count me in for your drawing. Thanks! I loved One Breath One Bullet.
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I would say Amy Lane’s Promise Rock series. Thanks for the post and the giveaway!
jen.f {at} mac {dot} com
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Theo Fenraven’s Transgression definitely comes to mind. I have other favorites, of course, AJ Rose’s Power Exchange books, and Edmond Manning’s Lost and Found series, the first two books that have been released. Thank you for the post and the giveaway.
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Such a hard question. I would say Josh Lanyon’s Dangerous Ground series, but there are several more that I just love. Thank you and please count me in for the draw.
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Tough question because I have so many faves. I love the C & R and Psycops series. A recent read “Glitterland” was pretty damn perfect for me too. Of course “Immovable Solitude” is in my top reads of all time ;-). Thanks for the blog and please count me in!
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Edmond Manning’s Lost and Founds series is just breathtaking so far…KING MAI is especially great at the balancing act. Eden Winters’ Diversion series is amazing, too…
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Strawberries for Dessert” and it’s sequel, Fear, Hope & Bread Pudding comes to mind. Also, Changing Worlds, Fall into the Sun and Reach the Moon. I still need to start reading the Cut&Run series, Division series, etc on my Kindle. Have Immovable Solitude to be read too.
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I just finished Glitterland so it’s on my mind. It was perfect. In fact I was a little sorry I read the short Aftermath story. The short was fine but the book actually stopped at the perfect moment without the follow up.
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The book that immediately pops into my head is “The Boy Who Came In From The Cold” by B.G. Thomas. The flow and development of the storyline is natural and the evolution of the character relationships is perfect.
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The Johnnies series by Amy Lane and the Home series by Cardeno C…
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I will always say Damon Suede’s Hot Head (and mean it from the soles of my happy feet to the very tippy-top of my highest frizzed out strand of hair), and I must also add Alex Beecroft’s Captain’s Surrender. There are many books that have entranced me, and I’m certain more could be added to this short list, but these two, the minute I stopped reading them, I had to turn back to the first page and read them over again immediately. That’s just how much they affected me, and with subsequent re-readings, their brilliance did not diminish, only shown that much brighter.
It’s always fun to see a question like this because I love looking at the answers and seeing what made that special connection for that person. As I look at what’s been shared, some would go on my extended list, some I haven’t read, and, as others would say of mine, I do not agree. :)
Thanks for sharing with us, S.A! That was a fun little glimpse into your writing, and I’m certain all the characters who make it breathe a little sigh of relief, well, up until you start writing again.
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I think Mary Calmes’ Change of Heart series. I hated what happened in the third book, yet it turned out to work perfectly in book 4, so even though I’m still not a fan, I’m okay with where it went.
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Happy Friday, everyone, and thanks to all of you for stopping in to say hi to SAM. This contest is now closed and the winner has been selected. The prize of any book from her backlist goes to…
Kim W!
Congrats, Kim, you’ll be hearing from SAM soon. :)
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