The Romance Reviews GLBT Madness Hop: Blog Post.

[misslj_author]

GLBT MADNESS HOP


Click the banner to be taken to the next blog on the hop! When you click on the button, you're taken to the next random blog that you haven’t gone to visit yet. The system takes care of “remembering” which blog you have gone to or not, and will forward you to a blog you haven’t visited yet.

So today, I'm going to talk about "No Surrender, No Retreat," and why I enjoyed writing and crafting the book and the overreaching universe that is the Archangel Chronicles.

"No Surrender, No Retreat," picks up seventy years after the end of "No Quarter." In those seventy years, there has been a war, a war unlike any seen before on Earth, involving angels and demons and all kinds of paranormal elements. Humanity is now well aware of angels and demons and all the monsters that live in the world, but after the war, there is little in the way of energy, money or resources for any major government to make a big deal out of it. After all, if you've been through a war of attrition that has lasted that long and survived to the end of it, licking ones wounds and rebuilding is a little more important than witch hunting. Generally speaking, anyway.

Archangels Michael and Gabriel have been apart for most of the war, so the book opens with them reuniting. It's a very emotional time for them, and I loved writing how they connected to each other and, after that first flush of romantic happiness, when reality sets in, how they adjust to each other and each other's foibles and prejudices. Their relationship is still very young – they have known each other forever, but being involved romantically adds a whole new dimension to their relationship and they are learning how to accept each other and love each other. Writing a fledging relationship like this, where the two characters do know each other very well in all other areas outside of sex and romance is a lot of fun. Exploring the dynamics between them as the conservative, shy, introverted Michael and outgoing, gregarious, irreverent Gabriel jostle to find a common ground is one of the things I really loved writing in this book.

I also gave the reader a more in-depth look at the relationship between Archangels Uriel and Raziel. Uriel is cranky, hates humans, has a bad temper, but is absolutely devoted to Raziel. Raziel is a genius but he's also impatient when people don't understand what he's talking about. He is as devoted to Uriel as Uriel is to him, and their relationship includes a lot of sarcasm, teasing, laughter and jokes. They have been together for nearly as long as forever, so they know each other very well, both romantically and not.

Then there's Archangel Raphael, who has a more prominent role in this book. His lover is Israfel, the angel of music, and Israfel is an impetuous, youthful minded angel, who enjoys all kinds of music and cooking. Israfel is devoted to Raphael and Raphael loves Israfel completely, finding his impetuousness and his tendency to babble to be utterly endearing. There are other relationships in the book, Agrat and her husband Shateiel, Archangel Remiel and his lover, the immortal woman, Ishtahar. The Archdemons return and this book reveals that Ondrass is involved in a relationship with his personal assistant, Markus.

I enjoyed writing the variety of relationships that are featured in this book and in the series as a whole. I liked writing the different dynamics of the couples and how they interact with others as individuals. There is a plot that involves more than just the romance and sex scenes, and I hope that all the elements combined make the book as enjoyable for readers as it was for me to write.

As part of the hop, I'll be giving away a pdf copy of "No Surrender, No Retreat." More information on this book and the series as a whole can be found at the series page on the Dreamspinner Press site, over here.

Comments

[jana-denardo.livejournal.com]

that's a heck of a time jump. It should make things really interesting (I'm still only halfway through the first book unfortunately. I haven't been able to read ebooks at the moment)

[misslj-author.livejournal.com]

It is. I didn't want the war to be the focus of things, I wanted it to be a background, past tragedy that affected everyone. Not the main subject. I mean, there's only so much death, torture, agony and pain you can write before it starts to get you down some!

I know that feeling. I'm halfway through the book I'm reading atm, and I'm loving it, I just haven't had time or energy to finish it. I hope you're enjoying what you've read so far. :)

[jana-denardo.livejournal.com]

agreed. Writing battles is challenging too. Only so much of that you can read before you're bored and skimming.

I have enjoyed what I read but sadly my eyes react poorly to reading ebooks (had to go into the eye doctor twice already this year because of it) so I can only read a little at a time

[misslj-author.livejournal.com]

Exactly. There's only so many ways you can describe a battle as well.

I'm glad you've enjoyed what you've read so far, but that's not so good about your eyes. Do you use an e-reader or the computer?

[jana-denardo.livejournal.com]

that too

and both. (they both also trigger my migraines. It's more than a little annoying)

[misslj-author.livejournal.com]

Oh ugh, I hear you on the migraines. I hate them with a passion. Mind you, I don't imagine anyone enjoys them, really.

[jana-denardo.livejournal.com]

no, you'd have to be a true masochist to like those

[kimberlyfdr.livejournal.com]

Thanks for taking part in the hop!

kimberlyFDR@yahoo.com

[misslj-author.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[http://openid.aol.com/vitajex (from livejournal.com)]

I love m/m and angels, so this sounds fantastic!

vitajex(at)aol(dot)com

[misslj-author.livejournal.com]

Good luck, I hope The Hat works in your favour! :D And I hope you enjoy the book.

[ceagles.livejournal.com]

Hi. I love the subject of your stories! I always felt that the Angels needed to have a life. It looks like you gave them a reat one.


Chris
ceagles48218@yahoo.com

[ceagles.livejournal.com]

Hi. I love the subject of your stories! I always felt that the Angels needed to have a life. It looks like you gave them a great one.


Chris
ceagles48218@yahoo.com

[misslj-author.livejournal.com]

Good luck, I hope The Hat works in your favour! :D And I hope you enjoy the book. I hope I did - they certainly get to do more than sit on clouds, playing harps! ;D

[brenopa.livejournal.com]

The hidden life of Angels! Love it! I'd love to read this.

[misslj-author.livejournal.com]

Good luck, I hope The Hat works in your favour! :D And I hope you enjoy the book.

[giselle (from livejournal.com)]

Sounds like a great read! Please count me in. Thanks!

gisu29(at)yahoo(dot)com

[misslj-author.livejournal.com]

Good luck, I hope The Hat works in your favour! :D And I hope you enjoy the book.

[nancy sorrels (from livejournal.com)]

This is what I love about hops, finding new to me authors. This sounds right up my reading alley.

[misslj-author.livejournal.com]

That's wonderful! I hope you're successful in the give away. :)

[yvette ganoe (from livejournal.com)]

Looks like an awesome story!
Yvette
yratpatrol@aol.com

[misslj-author.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Good luck in the give away. :)

[wtprater.livejournal.com]

I am intrigued by your review. Hope to get the chance to read your book.

[misslj-author.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Good luck with the draw. :)

[bl0226.livejournal.com]

I must be living under a rock to have missed book 1. I look forward in reading this series.

Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com

[misslj-author.livejournal.com]

Thank you, I do hope you enjoy it. :) Good luck with the draw.

[chickie4.livejournal.com]

I missed out on this series, can't wait to read it!

tiger-chick-1(at)hotmail(dot)com

[misslj-author.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I hope you enjoy it and good luck with the give away.

[kassandra appel (from livejournal.com)]

Thank you so much for the chance!!

Kassandra
sionedkla@gmail.com

[misslj-author.livejournal.com]

Good luck with the draw!