BFFs, Buddies, & Pals by Diane Burton #Giveaway

I love "buddy" movies. Lethal Weapon, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Top Gun. The camaraderie between friends makes a story so much better. Even under life and death circumstances, buddies lighten the scene with humor.

Early in my writing career, I learned about Christopher Vogler’s The Writer’s Journey, based on Joseph Campbell’s The Hero’s Journey. The steps were sort of what I was doing subconsciously. One of steps the hero takes on her quest is having a buddy (or buddies) to go along on the journey.

My favorite quote in the movie The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is when Sam says to Frodo, “I can't carry it (the ring) for you... but I can carry you!” That’s what friends do—whatever it takes to help his/her friend.

When I wrote Rescuing Mara’s Father, I knew Mara needed help on her quest to find her father. She gets it from her mentor, Basco, an old, spaceport mechanic. But mentors don’t go the whole way with the hero. Friends do. Mara’s BFF is Jako, an 11-year-old boy. Though he’s four years younger than her, he’s a faithful friend. He declares he’s going with her, even when his older brother, Lukus, demands he stay with him. When he can’t convince Jako to stay, Lukus goes along, too. Lukus has his own reason to accompany Mara, but it isn’t to save her father.

Together, the three friends embark on the journey. Mara’s always been jealous of the way her father favors Lukus, the perfect student. Gradually, she sees a different side of him. She understands why he has to learn as much as he can; why he takes care of Jako. By the end of the story, their friendship is strong. Steadfast Jako never wavers in his loyalty to Mara.

Friends are important in our lives. My husband has known his best friend since eighth grade. My son’s best friends were made in high school. My friendships don’t go back that far. But I do remember my best friend in high school and how much fun we had writing stories. In that period of emotional highs and lows (middle and high school), having a friend you can tell everything to makes it easier.

As I (sort of) plotted this story, I knew Mara would have friends. They start out the journey with her and are there with her at the end. 

What do you remember about friendships in middle and high school?

RESCUING MARA’S FATHER

A Middle Grade Science Fiction Adventure

3 friends, a hidden starship, a quest

Blurb:

Her father is gone! Taken by the Queen of Compara’s agents. Mara has to rescue him before the Queen tortures and kills him.

Instead of the kind, loving father she’s always known, he’s become demanding, critical, with impossible expectations—not just as Father but also as the only teacher in their frontier outpost. Mara would rather scoop zircan poop than listen to another boring lecture about governments on Central Planets. Give her a starship engine to take apart or, better yet, fly, and she’s happy. Now, he’s gone.

Never mind, they’ve had a rocky road lately.

Never mind, Father promised she could go off planet to Tech Institute next month when she turns fifteen, where she’ll learn to fly starships.

Never mind, she ran away because she’s furious with him because he reneged on that promise. Father is her only parent. She has to save him.

Along with her best friend, eleven-year-old Jako, and his brother 15-year-old Lukus, Mara sets off to find her father. Her mentor, old spaceport mechanic, seems to know why the Queen captured Father. In fact, he seems to know her father well. But, does he tell her everything? Of course not. He dribbles out info like a mush-eating baby. Worse, he indicates he’ll be leaving them soon. And Lukus can’t wait to get off their planet. Mara’s afraid they will all leave, and she’ll be on her own. Despite her fears, Mara has to rescue her father.

Excerpt:

“There you are!” Jako kneels next to me, his urgent voice and torchlight in my eyes wake me up.

I gasp, my heart racing. I must have fallen asleep. I was dreaming about being chased.

“I’ve been looking all over for you!” He lowers his torch and scoots back.

As I sit up, I shove my hair out of my eyes. My braid came undone while I was sleeping. Automatically, I reach up and use my fingers to comb through my long hair. Jako is breathing hard and heat rises off his small body.

“Why were you looking for me?” I ask as I rebraid my hair.

“I was afraid they got you, too.” He gasps for breath. “I didn’t see you when they took him on board, so I ran back to your house. The Dunpus brothers were laughing about how the goons hauled you away, screaming and crying. I knew they were lying. You wouldn’t cry.” His eyes grow wide. “You should’ve seen their ship, Mara. It was so cool. It was a—”

“Hold on. Took who?”

“Isn’t that why you came up here? To get away from them?”

“Them who?” I might be awake, but my mind is still muzzy. “Slow down. You aren’t making any sense.”

Jako grabs my arm. “Your father, Mara. Coalition goons arrested your father.”

RESCUING MARA’S FATHER is available

as an ebook:  Amazon ~ Amazon UK ~ Kobo ~ B&N ~ Smashwords

in print:  Amazon

  

GIVEAWAY

A $10 AMAZON e-GIFT CARD

Many chances to win.

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Note: you probably notice my name on this book is different. Because I wanted to keep my adult fiction separate from children's fiction, I chose to write under my initials, D.M. Burton.

Excerpt from Veronica Scott's KIERCE A New Badari Warriors Novel

Always fun to return to Paranormal Romantics to talk about books! Thanks for having me over!

Today I’m highlighting Kierce: A Badari Warriors SciFi Romance Novel, which is the seventh book in the Badari timeline. I’m having fun writing an actual scifi romance series (although each book is written to be read standing on its own – you don’t have to read the other books first) and challenging myself to come up with new wrinkles for each successive novel.  And to keep advancing the overall series arc in each book as well.

For readers who might not have read any of my Badari Warriors books, here’s the background:

Genetically engineered soldiers of the far future, the Badari were created by alien enemies to fight humans. But then the scientists kidnapped an entire human colony from the Sectors to use as subjects in twisted experiments…the Badari and the humans made common cause, rebelled and escaped the labs. Now they live side by side in a sanctuary valley protected by a powerful Artificial Intelligence, and wage unceasing war on the aliens.

I started this series in part because I love Laurann Dohner’s New Species and Lora Leigh’s Breeds, both of which have entirely different takes on genetically engineered soldiers, and I wanted to write my own stories using the trope, set in my future universe, the Sectors.

The blurb: Elianna McNamee, spaceship engineer, is far from her home in the human Sectors, kidnapped along with all her shipmates to be used for horrifying experiments conducted on a remote planet by alien scientists. 

Her captors decide to toss her in a cell with a ferocious predator, expecting him to kill her…but Kierce, the Badari warrior in question, has too much honor to mistreat a human woman. The trouble is, he’s trapped in a form drastically different from his own as a result of twisted genetic meddling and hiding dark secrets to save other Badari lives.

Able to become a man again briefly with Elianna‘s help, he and Elianna bond over their mutual hatred for the enemy but when rescuers finally arrive, the pair are separated by well-meaning Badari authorities.

Kierce struggles to overcome flashbacks from the torture and drugs the alien scientists inflicted on him. He and Elianna despair over whether he’ll ever be able to regain his rightful place as a man and a soldier in the pack, much less be ready to claim a mate.

Elianna accepts a risky but essential assignment far away from where Kierce is being held, working with another man who’s more than professionally interested in her. Her heart belongs to Kierce and she can’t forget their two nights of shared passion but will that be enough to lead them to a happy reunion?

The excerpt:  

The beast paced from side to side of the cell, roaring when he turned, and eyeing them with alarming intensity. Elianna was so terrified she could barely stand. She imagined the cat tearing into her with its huge claws, and the massive fangs rending her flesh.

Praying to the Lords of Space to die now, before the agony of being eaten alive, she nonetheless tried to study the cell and the cat, to identify any kind of weapon or space where she might be able to hide from it. She’d heard wild animals had sensitive noses. Should she punch at its snout? Maybe try to gouge at the eyes? Pulling his tail would have as much effect. Play dead? But the cat knew she was alive, and the Khagrish weren’t going to rescue her if they were after a big payday for a gory vid. An old piece of advice came to her mind, to stand tall and act bigger than she really was. Right, because this creature is as tall as I am and probably outweighs me by seven hundred pounds.

As she twisted in the guards’ hold, she wept, unable to handle the terror of what she was about to endure.

The man who’d gone to start the vidcams came running as if he couldn’t wait to watch her die. “All set. I made sure the feed won’t go anywhere other than our private loop. Don’t want to give away the show for free or get ourselves in trouble.”

He and one of the other guards pulled skinny black wands from holsters on their belts and stood ready as the officer went to the control panel for the force barrier. “I’m only going to deactivate a small area, so be prepared to throw her in there fast.”

“I’ll be ready.” Her captor got a better grip on Elianna, picking her up despite her flailing and striking at him.

A portion of the barrier sparked and winked out. The guards with the odd weapons aimed them at the cat, which snarled and retreated, hissing, tail lashing from side to side. Desperate to avoid her grisly fate, Elianna gripped the guard’s uniform and hung on. He attempted to throw her into the cell, but she tugged him off balance, and the Khagrish fell across the threshold in a heap with her.

In the blink of an eye the cat was on the guard, ignoring Elianna. Her first instinct was to crawl from the cell, but the beast and the screaming guard blocked the way. She retreated to the rear of the space, where there was a toilet, a sink, and a shower stall. Evidently, the cell had originally been meant for humanoids. Frantically, she scanned the fixtures, seeing no loose parts to grab for weapons, as the hellish sounds from behind her continued. She flicked a glance at the cat and even in her panic she realized the animal wouldn’t be coming for her yet. Think, do something or you’re going to be next.

Hinges were set into the wall about two feet away from her. A door of some kind had been installed a few feet above the floor. Falling to her knees, she pushed at the panel with all her power. The wood swung open easily, causing her to tumble through.

Stunned, she gaped at her new location in an outdoor enclosure. The yard was fairly large, bounded by sparkling force barriers rising high into the sky, and a spindly tree grew in one corner. Desperate, Elianna ran to the tree and scrambled up the trunk using low hanging branches as handholds. She crouched in the fork of the trunk, about twenty feet from the ground, and tried to control her breathing so she wouldn’t pass out. The barrier walls rose high above her head, leaving no possibility of leaping from the tree to escape.

The beast could probably climb better than she could, being a feline, but in her panic she sought out any chance of prolonging her life even for a few more minutes. She wondered what was happening inside the cell but she wasn’t planning to go find out.

A few minutes later, the flap of the opening lifted, and the cat flowed through the space to stand in the yard. Immediately, he fixed his golden-eyed stare on her, and he padded over to the tree to sit on his haunches and contemplate her.

Like a bird in a tree.

Amazon     Apple Books       Nook     Google    Kobo

Author Bio and Links:

USA Today Best Selling Author

 Veronica Scott grew up in a house with a library as its heart. Dad loved science fiction, Mom loved ancient history and Veronica thought there needed to be more romance in everything. When she ran out of books to read, she started writing her own stories.

Seven time winner of the SFR Galaxy Award, as well as a National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award, Veronica is also the proud recipient of a NASA Exceptional Service Medal relating to her former day job, not her romances!

 She read the part of Star Trek Crew Member in the official audiobook production of Harlan Ellison’s “The City On the Edge of Forever.”

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Blog: https://veronicascott.wordpress.com/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/vscotttheauthor

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Veronica-Scott/177217415659637?ref=hl

April Showers Bring Stories With Flowers

Not the flowers I saw today-
My sister is a great gardener
and takes great photos

I don't mind the winter like I used to. 

I've found some benefits to hibernating. Although I do often miss the sunshine and getting outside to walk and enjoy the beauty of nature. I suppose I'm especially impressed since I can't keep most plants alive.

If you've read any of my stories, you know many are set in the beautiful woods that surround where I live. Walking and bicycling through the areas crafted by nature helps to inspire my stories. 

Spring keeps trying to rear its head here in Pennsylvania, while Mother Nature teases us with a nice day, then another allowing the snow to return. 

Although I brag about my 'black thumb' that doesn't do well with any flowers, I really love to see them starting to push through the frozen earth with such determination to crane toward the sun. (unfortunately many will be disappointed if they arrive early, since the sun may be nowhere to be found.)

I usually don't know what their names are (I have to ask my Mom that), but I love to look at them. There's just something about that splash of color. 

Another one of my sister's pictures

As I walked today and saw more buds straining toward the sun, I was reminded of a flash fiction story I wrote years ago that I thought I'd share today.

The Sun's Kiss

Tanner wobbled forward. The prize lay ahead, swaying in the breeze, leafy arms reaching skyward. Bowls of color dancing like balloons tethered to green strings. Red as a juicy apple. Yellow as a ripe banana.

Plopping unceremoniously into the sea of color, Tanner caused multiple winged yellow and black diners to flee.  

Reaching out, Tanner stroked a soft shell. Pulling one off, he shoved the petal into his mouth.

“Tanner!” His mama squatted down.  Do you like my tulips?” 

Tanner frowned; his tongue already pushing the offender out. It didn’t taste as good as it looked.

His mama laughed. “Not for eating,” she inhaled deeply, “for smelling.” She offered the flower.

He recoiled until he detected the sweet scent, like his mama’s perfume.  

He sniffed, tickling his nose with the center, where he’d seen the bees eating.

Tanner tilted his face up and smiled, accepting the sun’s kiss.   

Do you Have a Favorite Flower? 

Author Bio: Maureen Bonatch grew up in small town Pennsylvania and her love of the four seasons—hockey, biking, sweat pants and hibernation—keeps her there. While immersed in writing or reading paranormal romance and fantasy, she survives on caffeine, wine, music, and laughter. A feisty Shih Tzu keeps her in line. Find Maureen on her website, Facebook& Twitter

Be the first to know about Maureen’s book sales and new releases by following her on BookBub, Amazon and/or signing up for her newsletter

Writing Science Fiction by Diane Burton #Giveaway

I write science fiction because I believe in the future. I grew up in the days of Sputnik and the Space Race. President John Kennedy said we were going to the moon in that decade, the 1960s, and, by golly, we did. Back in those days, every launch was televised. So exciting to watch that cloud of smoke as the rocket lifted—oh, so slowly—off the launchpad and into the sky.

We explored the moon several times. Then we backtracked, built the International Space Station, and practiced for missions beyond our moon. Once we do go farther into our solar system, I’m certain we’ll set up colonies. Because that’s what humans do—we send out explorers, followed by adventurers, then we colonize.

My new release, Rescuing Mara’s Father, A Science Fiction Adventure, goes in reverse. The story starts in a colony on the frontier of space, the Outer Rim, then takes the reader to a “civilized” planet, a planet in the throes of a rebellion against an evil ruler. Why? To rescue fifteen-year-old Mara’s father from the queen’s clutches.

While the characters—Mara, her best friend, eleven-year-old Jako, and his brother, sixteen-year-old Lukus—have no idea what they’re up against, Mara’s determination leads them on a quest.

I have no doubt that somewhere, out there, are planets colonized by humans. They found “Goldilocks” planets where everything is “just right” for humans to live and thrive. Will we ever meet those humans? Will we ever travel to those planets? Not in my lifetime. In my grandchildren’s? I hope so. I wrote Rescuing Mara’s Father for those grandchildren that they will believe in the future. Maybe one of them will be an astronaut and “go where no one has gone before.”

3 friends, a hidden starship, a quest

Her father is gone! Taken by the Queen of Compara’s agents. Mara has to rescue him before the Queen tortures and kills him.

Instead of the kind, loving father she’s always known, he’s become demanding, critical, with impossible expectations—not just as Father but also as the only teacher in their frontier outpost. Mara would rather scoop zircan poop than listen to another boring lecture about governments on Central Planets. Give her a starship engine to take apart or, better yet, fly, and she’s happy. Now, he’s gone.

Never mind, they’ve had a rocky road lately.

Never mind, Father promised she could go off planet to Tech Institute next month when she turns fifteen, where she’ll learn to fly starships.

Never mind, she ran away because she’s furious with him because he reneged on that promise. Father is her only parent. She has to save him.

Along with her best friend, eleven-year-old Jako, and his brother 15-year-old Lukus, Mara sets off to find her father. Her mentor, old spaceport mechanic, seems to know why the Queen captured Father. In fact, he seems to know her father well. But, does he tell her everything? Of course not. He dribbles out info like a mush-eating baby. Worse, he indicates he’ll be leaving them soon. And Lukus can’t wait to get off their planet. Mara’s afraid they will all leave, and she’ll be on her own. Despite her fears, Mara has to rescue her father.

Rescuing Mara’s Father, A Science Fiction Adventure, is appropriate for middle grade students (4^th grade & up). It's now available at most online vendors.

Amazon ~ Amazon UK ~ Kobo ~ B&N ~ Smashwords

  

GIVEAWAY

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The Care and Keeping of Your Author

We’re all book-lovers here, obviously. Reading is in your blood, you need it to keep you warm and alive. And you naturally have at least one favorite author whose words sing to your soul. The one you buy from not because you like the sound of the blurb, or the look of the cover, but because she’s simply released a new book. She is your author, and she is preorder-worthy!

But, what if, when your author’s latest book arrives on your Kindle, you excitedly open to the first page and see the following words: “If you’re reading this, then Amazon sent you a placeholder, not your book. Please contact Amazon and alert them to this problem, and ask them to send you your book ASAP.” Or you discover that you’ve received a rough draft of the book. Or just the first chapter?

Example of an actual Placeholder from Anna Santos

What happened? What does this mean?

Sadly, it means you, and your author, are the victims of a serious glitch in Amazon’s preorder system.

How did this colossal screw-up happen? Here’s a quick explanation of the book loading process for preorders: 

1.     When your author creates a preorder for her new book, Amazon requires her to upload a file. Any file. It could be your author's shopping list, they just don't care. This temporary file is called the Placeholder File.

2.     Your author must replace the Placeholder File with the final Book File by a specific date prior to the book's release. This date is set by Amazon. 

3.     Amazon will work its techno-magic and distribute the Book File to the preorder readers on release day. The Placeholder File will disappear, presumably into oblivion. In theory.

Here's the problem: Step three has not been consistently happening recently. Somewhere along the line, Amazon's system is failing to replace the Placeholders with the Books, leaving readers with...well, "shopping lists". 

Here's another problem: Readers get pissed (and rightfully so!) and will 1-star the book (not so great!). 

I'm begging you, if you are a reader and this happens to you, please do not 1-star the book! This only hurts your author. The one person who is as pissed as you are, and is fighting for you so you can get the copy of the book you bought and paid for.

But, don’t worry. Here’s what you can do to help your author:

1.     Contact Amazon immediately and let them know about the problem, and that you would very much like to have your book, please.

2.     Send your author an email, post, or PM of support, because she's probably crying and banging her head against her keyboard, because...Amazon.

3.     Once you do get the book and have read it, leave a positive review. This may make your author cry some more, but it'll be for good reasons.

Could your author have failed to upload the final Book File in time? Possibly. It could happen, but it's highly unlikely. There are penalties for that—namely your author's reputation. Also, the abrupt spike in these occurrences points to a system-wide glitch, not a bunch of authors suddenly being lazy.

Fact: 100% of legitimate authors will pull the plug on a project rather than hang their readers out to dry.

Feel free to share this blog! Help educate other readers who may not understand how the system works. So many fabulous authors are being erroneously blamed for something they have no control over, including your author.

(This is a revised edition of a blog I wrote on my personal blog. Why the duplication? Because this. Is. Important!)

~*~*~

USA Today Bestselling Author, Lea Kirk, loves to transport her readers to other worlds with her sci-fi romances. When she’s not busy writing about the blue and green aliens of her Prophecy series, she’s hanging out with her hubby, five kids (the nerd herd), and spoiled Dobie mix puppy.

She is currently working on two short stories and the fourth book in her series.

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Getting Back to the Store Front with @WendiZwaduk and @MeganSlayer #paranormalromance

There's a story that's been sticking with me for a while now. I wrote it a couple years ago, but what happens after the book finally decided to show up. Does that happen to you? Tends to happen to me. I think the series is finished and the next story comes along.

I love writing paranormal, but I have to be in a certain frame of mind to do it. That's how I feel with any book I write. I have to be in the mood for it. It probably goes that way without saying with any author.

But I've been itching to get back to the world of the Store Front and the darkened earth in Taken In. Something about the dystopian quality of the story and the complications of living in the Store Front. What do you think? This is the Paranormal Romantics. We love paranormal and we love romance. Would you like to go back to the Store Front with me?  Let me know!

Taken In by Wendi Zwaduk 

M/F/M, Menage, Anal Sex

 Paranormal, Contemporary

Totally Bound

Novella

Find what you need at the Store Front. Blood, sex…we have it all just for you.

The supernaturals have taken over the earth, leaving the humans to serve them. The Store Front is one place for the supernaturals to find partners for feeding and sexual needs. Vic, a wolf shifter, and Gale, a vampire, have a special human female they love to visit. They know the bond between them goes far beyond the bedroom, but convincing Kitty the triad should happen might not be so easy.

Kitty longs to leave the Store Front and the total darkness of the earth. The one bright spot in her day is a visit from Gale and Vic. She loves the two supernatural men, even if she can’t voice the words. Do they return her affections on a deeper level or is she just a pawn to them? She’s not sure, but she’s willing to risk her heart and get wild after dark in order to find out.

Reader Advisory: This book contains scenes of anal sex.

Anthology available at Totally Bound: https://www.totallybound.com/wild-after-dark    

Taken In available At Totally Bound: https://www.totallybound.com/book/taken-in

Universal Link: https://books2read.com/u/31xNWW

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B012GEBQSW/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B012GEBQSW/

https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B012GEBQSW/

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B012GEBQSW/

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/taken-in/id1021554190?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/taken-in-3

https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=ejk0CgAAQBAJ

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/taken-in-wendi-zwaduk/1122369961?ean=9781784306687

EXCERPT:

©Wendi Zwaduk, 2015, All Rights Reserved

“Now there’s our girl.”

Kitty’s attention pricked. She knew that voice. Vic. She glanced up at the doorway. Vic and Gale stood watching her.

“Why do you look so sad, hon?” Vic crossed the room first and offered his hand. “The bastard tried something, didn’t he?”

She drank in Vic’s presence. The tight T-shirt clung to his muscled frame. Although he was in his human form, the power of the wolf showed through. His salt-and-pepper hair glimmered in the light. His blue eyes sparkled as he knelt beside her. She loved how he contrasted Gale’s tall frame.

“I’m okay.” She brushed her hair away from her face and allowed him to pull her to her feet. “He was pushy, but I handled it.” She turned over his wrist. “Ah, you’re here for sex and feeding.”

“Are you pleased?” Gale uncrossed his ankles and left the doorway. He didn’t just walk over to her. He stalked across the room. His gray eyes glowed and a lock of his sandy brown hair slipped over his forehead. His clothes hung on his lanky frame. He embodied the strength and sexuality of a vampire, but without the jackass attitude.

“I am.” She slid her hand into his. “I’ve been waiting on you both. It’s not as fun here without you.”

“Oh?” Vic closed the door and engaged the lock. “I’m honored.”

“You should be,” she replied. She shouldn’t have been snappy with them, but after the nasty vampire, her nerves were shot.

“He fed from you.” Gale caressed her arm. “Left big ass puncture wounds, too. Didn’t he bother to close them?”

“I—I didn’t look.” She glanced at her wrist. Bright red blood dripped down her arm. Well, shit.

Gale scooped her into his arms. “The bastard.” He carried her to the bed, then plunked her onto his lap. In one slick move, he licked the wounds shut and stopped the bleeding. “He had no right to do this to you.”

“It’s my job,” she managed. Her vision blurred a bit. How much blood had the vampire taken?

“Sleep, little one.” Gale stretched her out on the bed, then cuddled beside her.

Vic slipped between her and the wall. “Recharge. We’re not going anywhere.”

“No?” Her eyelids grew heavy and she fought to stay awake. “Don’t let me die.”

“We won’t,” Gale murmured. He tore into his wrist, allowing a rivulet of blood to dribble onto her lips. “Take some of mine and sleep.”

Sensitivity Readers

A new term has popped up on the publishing landscape—sensitivity reader. These are different from beta readers who scrutinize a manuscripts for content, grammar, and flow prior to publication. Sensitivity readers, however, are specialized. They concentrate on cultural inaccuracies, representation issues, bias, stereotypes, or problematic language and their voices are increasingly heard in literature meant for juveniles.

Recently, news hit the publishing world of a young adult novel

pulled shortly before publication because of perceived slights and cultural biases. Prior to this, the author of Blood Heir, Amélie Wen Zhao, had hit the publishing jackpot. After winning a Twitter pitch she scored a six–figure book deal for a YA trilogy, a culturally diverse retelling of Anastasia with magical elements. Princess Anastacya’s father was murdered and she lives in secrecy because she shares the arcane talents of the enslaved Affinites. The pre-publication buzz was strong with good reviews and then the Twitter hit the fan.

Certain Twitter accounts with large followers accused Zhao of racial insensitivity. It blew up into a storm with people taking both sides, but was the criticism justified? Among the complaints is that a black girl was rescued from the slave trade and subsequently died so that the white protagonist could live. However, according to those who read the book and the author herself, the character is only described as having blue eyes and either tan or coppery skin with dark curly hair. I have a Greek friend who fits that description just fine.

An additional criticism concerns the portrayal of slavery, but Zhao, who was born in China and raised in Europe explained, “Affinite indenturement…represents a specific critique of the epidemic of indentured labor and human trafficking prevalent in many industries across Asia, including in my own home country. The narrative and history of slavery in the United States is not something I can, would, or intended to write, but I recognize that I am not writing in merely my own cultural context.”

The United State is not the only country that has had to deal with the stain of slavery. Europe, Africa, and Asia have had slave histories that were longer than and as torturous as ours, but, unlike the rest of the world we still deal with the dark aftereffects. Perhaps, that also affects the ability of sensitivity readers. Do they read from one cultural perspective without being able to see Zhao’s point of view? I don’t know the answer. The result of this criticism is that Zhao issued an apology for any unintended offense and asked Delacorte, to pull the book. Delacorte put Blood Heir on hold, but stated they were open to publishing the book in the future. Perhaps there will be rewrites and a new publication date, so that the rest of us can see what all the fuss was about.

I didn’t read the book, so can’t answer the question why were there so many positive advance reviews and things changed so suddenly when criticism from a few caused a Twitter storm. Blood Heir isn’t the first book to be pulled pre-publication date. In 2016 the release of the YA novel The Continent was stopped when online reviews criticized portrayals of people of color. In that case the book was reedited and released with numerous changes. Last month, Sourcebooks stopped the release of the YA historical novel, A Place for Wolves by Kosovo Jackson for depictions of the Kosovo War, genocide, and Muslim characters. The future of the book is undetermined.

Is all this brouhaha just censorship or do sensitivity readers fill a need? Sure they do. We need fair and equal representations of diverse characters in books. When writing from another person’s cultural perspective, especially a minority, it helps to have an unbiased opinion from someone in the know. This isn’t censorship but compassion and common sense. Considering the feelings of others won’t thwart an author’s ability to tell a compelling story, but, hopefully make it more engaging for all readers.

L. A. Kelley writes science fiction and fantasy adventures with humor romance and a touch of sass. She enjoys smacking insensitive people upside the head.