The Romance Reviews GLBT Madness Hop: Blog Post.

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GLBT MADNESS HOP


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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.