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WORK TITLE: The Traitor’s Kiss
WORK NOTES:
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BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: http://www.erinbeaty.com/
CITY:
STATE:
COUNTRY:
NATIONALITY:
https://us.macmillan.com/author/erinbeaty
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Married; children: five.
EDUCATION:U.S. Naval Academy, B.S., 2000.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer, novelist, educator, and former Navy officer. The Muse Writers Center, Norfolk, VA. Member of the advisory board of Hampton Roads Writers.
MIILITARY:U.S. Navy; served as a weapons officer on a combat destroyer and as a junior officer leadership instructor at the Center for Naval Leadership.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
Erin Beaty is a writer, novelist, and former Navy officer. Beaty is a native Hoosier, born and raised in Indianapolis. This circumstance of birth means “I can’t drive a tractor, but I won’t eat veggies that come from a can, she remarked on the Erin Beaty Website.
Beaty joined the U.S. Naval Academy after high school and earned a B.S. in aerospace engineering and German, she noted on her website. After receiving her officer’s commission, she served as a weapons officer on a combat destroyer. She also served as an instructor at the Navy’s Center for Naval Leadership, teaching leadership concepts and applications to junior officers. She and her husband have five children, and since he is still in the Navy, they frequently uproot themselves and head off to a new assignment at the Navy’s command.
Though Beaty is now a novelist, she noted in an interview on the Lil Book Lovers Blog that writing was not something she pursued from a young age. “Growing up, I loved to read, but I was all about science and math, and writing was just another skill to master,” she told the interviewer. She found, however, that she was successful as a writer in college, so much so that some of her professors encouraged her to change to a more writing-related major. In her classes, “somehow I always roped into doing the write-ups in our group projects. Did I like writing? Sort of. Mostly I was just glad our lab results were presented clearly,” she told the interviewer.
Later, she started a family-related blog, which caused many of its readers to encourage her to write a book. “I thought that was just weird until one day I got hit with an idea so hard I actually sat down and started typing. Now I’m like, why did it take me so long to realize writing is awesome?,” she said to the Lil Book Lovers Blog interviewer.
In an article on the website Brit+Co, Beaty had some encouragement for aspiring writers. “Fill yourself with what you love, and when it overflows onto paper, it will be made from that,” she remarked. “And what you love, others will love too. What inspires you will inspire others, I promise.” She helps writers fulfill their writing dreams as an instructor at the Muse Writers Center in Norfolk, Virginia and as a member of the advisory board of Hampton Roads Writers.
The Traitor’s Kiss, Beaty’s debut novel, is set in a world where arranged marriages are still the norm. Protagonist Sage Fowler, sixteen years old, should be ready for her marriage to be put together, but her ferocious independence, hot temper, and sharp tongue have made the matchmakers declare her unfit for marriage. Sage is absolutely happy with this, so instead she becomes the apprentice to Darnessa Rodelle, a local matchmaker who is also head of the regional guild. Sage’s “job is to covertly help the matchmaker evaluate potential matches, which is especially important because of the upcoming Concordium during which many of the liaisons are formalized,” commented a writer on the website Rhapsody in Books.
As the Concordium approaches, Sage, Darnessa, and a group of prospective brides head out for the monthlong journey to Tennegol, the capital city, where the matching will take place. They don’t realize they are also joined by some members of the royalty traveling undercover. The group is accompanied by an escort of soldiers to provide protection during the journey. The leader of the soldiers, Captain Alexander Quinn, notices how stealthily but effectively Sage fulfills her duties as an observer, and he tries to recruit her to serve as a spy. At the same time, Sage is becoming more and more interested in the soldiers’ cart driver, Ash Carter. Soon, Sage and Ash are falling for each other, but their budding relationship will suffer a serious blow when they realize their nascent romance is based on misinformation about each other.
A Publishers Weekly contributor called The Traitor’s Kiss an “engrossing debut” with an “action-packed, expertly plotted story.” A Kirkus Reviews writer remarked that Sage “is a clever, contrary female protagonist who remains realistic and likable” and concluded, “This is one series opener that really merits a sequel.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Kirkus Reviews, April 1, 2017, review of The Traitor’s Kiss.
Publishers Weekly, March 13, 2017, review of The Traitor’s Kiss, p. 87.
ONLINE
Brit+Co, http://www.brid.co/ (May 12, 2017), Angela Velez, “Erin Beaty’s New Novel is Jane Austen with Espionage,” review of The Traitor’s Kiss.
Eater of Books! Blog, http://eaterofbooks.blogspot.com/ (April 17, 2017), review of The Traitor’s Kiss.
Erin Beaty Website, http://www.erinbeaty.com (November 5, 2017).
Hello Tuesday, http://www.tuesdaywriters.com/ (April 24, 2017), Jonathan Rosen, “Interview with Erin Beaty, Debut Author of The Traitor’s Kiss.”
It Starts at Midnight, https://www.itstartsatmidnight.com/ (November 5, 2017), review of The Traitor’s Kiss.
Lil Book Lovers Blog, http://lilbooklovers.wordpress.com/ (February 25, 2017), “Exclusive Interview with Erin Beaty!”
Rhapsody in Books Blog, https://rhapsodyinbooks.wordpress.com/ (August 07, 2017 ), review of The Traitor’s Kiss.
Series
Traitor's Trilogy
1. The Traitor's Kiss (2017)
2. The Traitor's Ruin (2018)
Erin Beaty was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, which means she can't drive a tractor, but she won't eat veggies that come from a can.
She graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2000 with a BS in Aerospace Engineering (Astronautics) and German. After serving as a weapons officer on a combat destroyer, she did a tour at the Center for Naval Leadership as a junior officer leadership instructor. Her first novel, "The Traitor's Kiss," was published by Imprint, Macmillan in May 2017. A sequel "The Traitor's Ruin" will be released in May 2018, and a third book in the trilogy in May 2019.
Erin and her husband have five kids, two cats, and a vegetable garden and live wherever the Navy tells them to go
Exclusive Interview with Erin Beaty!
Published on February 25, 2017 by Kester (from LILbooKlovers)
Hello! Last week on the #BBTC Twitter Chat (hosted by the lovely Brittany’s Book Rambles!), I got to meet a wonderful author whose debut book is probably one of my most anticipated reads of 2017! The Traitor’s Kiss sounded so amazing that I wanted to interview Erin Beaty so much, and I’m so happy that I’m able to host her on our blog! It was so fun last week, and to those that were there with me last week (or to those who were not), here is my exclusive interview! Go pre-order it today! TTK comes out May 9, 2017!
1. In your own words, how would you describe The Traitor’s Kiss?
Kester Note: By the way, look at that pretty cover!
When I was pitching the story to agents and later to publishers, I called it “Jane Eyre meets Mulan.” It’s about a girl who lives in a society where the vast majority of marriages are made through a system of matchmakers. Sage is completely unsuited for marriage herself, but she gets hired as the matchmaker’s apprentice, and a big part of the job is spying on people. They’re headed to a national marriage conference with a group of specially selected brides when Sage gets romantically involved with one of the soldiers from their ceremonial escort. The problem is, she has to lie about who she is, but so does he. In the middle of all this secret-keeping from each other, they uncover a treasonous plot that threatens to plunge the whole kingdom into civil war.
2. Why do you love writing? When did you first have a love for writing, and how was it formed?
Until very recently, writing was something I only did on the side. Growing up, I loved to read, but I was all about science and math, and writing was just another skill to master. My dad was pretty insistent on communicating clearly, and I would often go 15 rounds with him on various history and English papers- and this was back before Microsoft Word! I studied engineering in college, but I did so well in my humanities classes, a few professors suggested I change majors. And somehow I always roped into doing the write-ups in our group projects. Did I like writing? Sort of. Mostly I was just glad our lab results were presented clearly.
Years later I had a blog, but it was mainly to keep family in the loop about our lives as we moved around the country. People who read it were always telling me I should write a book. I thought that was just weird until one day I got hit with an idea so hard I actually sat down and started typing. Now I’m like, why did it take me so long to realize writing is awesome?
Really, though, I look back over years of blog entries, and I see a lot of improvement in my story-telling. I wasn’t ready until now, so I don’t feel too bad about waiting this long to start.
3. Who are your favorite authors, and which ones have had an impact on you? Who has affected your writing style the most?
I really do love Jane Austen, because she has this dry, observational wit and her heroines don’t compromise what’s important. I love the precision of Michael Crichton and Robert Heinlein (and their science) and the historical narratives of Michael and Jeff Shaara. As a teen, I was all about Tamora Pierce, but her influence was more in living rather than writing. I’ve been pretty eclectic in my reading, though, and I don’t know if I can really nail down where my style comes from. Even now when I read books I feel like I’m learning something craft-wise. I think I will always be evolving.
4. What are your favorite genres to read and write? What are your favorite books?
I read whatever sounds interesting, and generally contemporary is lower on the list- I guess I never felt like I fit in my own time. You can be pretty certain I will never write a contemporary novel. I like sci-fi and fantasy, but I can be picky about it, especially if I think it’s going to take a lot of effort to understand the world. I adore historical fiction, but it has to be accurate.
My all-time favorite book is Michael Crichton’s Timeline, because quantum physics and medieval history make my nerd heart beat fast, and this has both. Other books I’ve read over and over are everything by Jane Austen, Steinbeck’s Cannery Row and Sweet Thursday, Michael Shaara’s The Killer Angels, Robin McKinley’s The Hero and the Crown and The Blue Sword, and Robert Heinlein’s Starship Troopers, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, and his short story anthology The Past Through Tomorrow. All those had huge influence on me in my teens and twenties, and I go back to them like comfort food.
5. What do you do when you’re not writing? Is writing a part-time or full-time job?
Oh lordy. I have five kids and am married to a Navy man, so my life revolves mostly around running a household and moving every two years. The only reason I have time to write is because I’m anti-social. I’d say it’s part-time, but I don’t have any other real paying job, though I teach at the local writing center. Until we move again, that is.
6. Would you want to be a spy? If so, what would be your code name? What would also be your dream mission?
Photo by Devon Shanor
I think I’d be a terrible spy- even calling people on the phone makes me hyperventilate, but I might be able to handle the type of spying Sage does. She kind of studies people like a naturalist studies ants. My code name would be Mama Bear, and the best mission I could handle would be where I’ve got a background job, but I’m really looking for signs of human trafficking or abuse.
7. Before you started your writing career, you worked in the U.S. Navy as a weapons officer. How was being in the Navy like? How did your experiences help you write this book?
There were so many good things and bad things, but I honestly don’t think most of the bad things were that unique to the military. Jerks and incompetence exist everywhere. There was sexism, yes, but also incredible support and empowerment. I learned so much about myself- what I was capable of, what my weaknesses were, and what was ultimately important to me in life. I learned how to prioritize and how to get stuff done. There were miserable times, but I dealt with them and came out stronger. I wouldn’t trade that for anything.
There’s nothing specific in THE TRAITOR’S KISS that relates to lessons I learned, but there’s an underlying theme of what it means to be a leader, especially a military one.
8. Your novel is “Jane Austen meets an espionage twist!” Which Jane Austen character can you relate with the most? Which character relates to Sage Fowler, the protagonist of The Traitor’s Kiss, the most?
Is it vain to say Lizzie Bennet for myself? She sees the absurdity in everything and so distances herself from the world a bit. Sage is actually more like Jane Eyre than any other literary character – she starts with bitterness and loss, and she’s probably rougher around the edges than any of Austen’s characters. Definitely doesn’t have any of their refined manners.
9. In your own opinion, what is your favorite quote from your novel?
The one that always makes me smile is when Sage goes to apologize to the matchmaker and says, “You see, the way this works is, I say I’m sorry for the horrible things I said, and then you say you’re sorry for the horrible things you said. Then we smile and pretend we believe each other.”
10. If your book was turned into a movie, who would you want as the director and cast?
I love Kenneth Branaugh as a director (and an actor, but I don’t see a part for him). I’d always envisioned Duke D’Amiran looking like Richard Armitage, which is interesting because I think he’s kind of hot, and the character is the main bad guy. Majel Barrett would have been a great matchmaker, but that’s not possible. There’s an actress named McKenna Knipe who kind of has Sage’s looks, but I have no idea if her acting is any good. All the guys I can think of are too old. Wouldn’t mind sitting around looking at candidates all day, though.
11. Could you describe your reaction when you found out you were going to be published?
When my agent called to say I was going to an acquisition board at Macmillan, I was ironing a bunch of shirts for an upcoming wedding. I very carefully set the iron to the side and sat down on the couch behind me and said, “What?” Then I started shaking all over. For the rest of the evening, I was bumping into things left and right.
A week later I was lying on a bed at my in-laws’ house, staring at the ceiling and waiting for the results of said board. When my agent called to say I had an official offer, I just closed my eyes and shook my head for about ten minutes. Then I got up and got all the kids dressed for the wedding’s rehearsal dinner, where I imbibed heavily.
12. What is your go-to cure when you get a case of writer’s block?
I break out old fashioned notebooks. Writing things out by hand unlocks the creative part of my mind. But if my brain is just tired or stressed, I’ll watch a movie or read a favorite book. The book or movie has to be something I’m already familiar with, though, so there’s no real effort to understand what’s going on.
13. Do you have a favorite snack, drink, or song you like to listen to when you write?
Photo by Devon Shanor
It’s hard to eat and type or write, so I often have chai or lattes on hand. I’ll snack while I edit sometimes. I have a few mood playlists, but interestingly, I can’t listen to anything with words if I’m editing, only writing.
14. As a debut author, what is one thing you wish someone told you before you started writing and publishing?
I’m kind of glad I didn’t know how much work it would be or I might have chickened out. There were many things I heard over and over – that each level of success only brings a new (and often worse) kind of stress, that I would experience horrible jealousies over other writers’ successes, and that I would leave some of my early writing friends behind – so I expected them, but I was unprepared for how they felt.
15. What are your current plans with your writing career?
I guess I’ll just keep writing books as long as it’s fun and people want to read them. I have several stories I want to develop, but right now life (moving) is getting in the way, and the priority in writing is finishing what has now become a trilogy. I let the writing genie out of the bottle, though, and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to put it back.
16. Do you have any tips to any aspiring authors or writers?
Critique other people’s work (in a partnership), and learn how to do it well (it’s not easy). That was the best thing for finding the problems in my own writing. And write what you would want to read. Believe it or not, there’s lots of people out there who will like it, too.
Thank you so much, Erin, for coming onto our blog! I loved your answers! I’m so excited to get The Traitor’s Kiss in May!
If you want to get some more of Erin Beaty through her social media accounts, or if you want to pre-order her book, check out the links below!
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
Amazon | Barnes & Noble
I’ll try to be at #BBTC tonight for anyone who wants to join me!
Do you like the classics like Jane Austen’s books? Do you like books infused with espionage? Will you pre-order this book, or is your interest piqued? What’s your most anticipated 2017 read? Comment below with your thoughts!
Til Next Time! ~ Kester
Erin Beaty’s New Novel Is Jane Austen With Espionage
Angela Velez May 12, 2017
If the idea of finishing school has you ready to jump out the window, and you’d rather spend your days embarking on crazy adventures, then you and Erin Beaty’s The Traitor’s Kiss are a match made in heaven. Beaty’s debut novel stars Sage Fowler, a girl who refuses to be tamed… and oh yeah, she’s also the newest spy for the army. This book has got kissing, devastating secrets, and kingdom saving — what more could you want? Snag your copy of The Traitor’s Kiss for a cozy rainy night in, and we guarantee you’ll be up all night flipping pages. We caught up with author Erin Beaty to chat creativity, inspiration, and more. Scroll on to read some words of wisdom from an IRL adventurous lady.
Brit + Co: Describe your book in six words or less.
Erin Beaty: Jane Austen with espionage.
B+C: Where/when do you do your best writing?
Article Continues Below
EB: Anytime the kids are gone or asleep definitely reduces distractions, but the best time is usually in the evening. By then I’ve either been struggling to find the time to get to writing or I’ve been interrupted all day, so what I need to write has been bubbling for hours and is dying to get out. I used to write in our home office area, but there’s no door, and it’s a high traffic area under just about any circumstances. My husband set up a card table in the corner of the guest room, and things got much better. (Photo via Erin Beaty)
B+C: What’s your go-to cure for when you’re stuck in a creativity rut?
EB: I break out the old-fashioned notebooks and change my environment by going to a coffee shop or something. Writing things out is slower, but it unlocks creative parts of my brain. Interestingly, what I write out by hand gets minimal changes in the editing process too. The best stuff comes out then.
B+C: What two lady heroes do you turn to for inspiration, and why?
EB: I discovered Tamora Pierce’s Alanna while in junior high, and even though her world was very different from ours, it was such a relief to find a female character who wanted to be in the military. And if there was someone willing to write Alanna and there were people willing to publish Alanna and there were people willing to read Alanna, I wasn’t alone. There were other girls like me out there. Maybe it sounds cheesy, but The Song of the Lioness series gave me a strong base to stand on, especially as I struggled to get into and then through the Naval Academy. It also wasn’t a surprise to meet a ton of other Alanna fans when I got there.
In real life, I had an Academy classmate who became a Marine Corps pilot. She and her crew saved dozens up lives, right up to the day her medevac helicopter was shot down over Iraq. Captain Jen Harris will always be the ultimate hero to me. I wish I had half her strength.
B+C: What’s your latest social media obsession?
Other than seeing people post beautiful pictures of my book? I love keeping up with my fellow 2017 debut authors, but there’s too many to name here. Otherwise, it’s probably not something too many other people are interested in: I’ve got a thing for the sun. Always have. It’s the most beautiful and fascinating thing. In college, my group’s satellite design project was a polar orbit solar observatory, and the NASA guys who came to our presentation said it was an awesome (but expensive) idea.
To keep up with all the current satellite images, I follow NASA Sun Science and The Sun Today on Facebook and @NASAsun. Yeah, I’m a nerd. I’m not ashamed.
B+C: Can you name a book that you think deserves a little more love + recognition?
EB: I’m not much for contemporary fiction, but Tiffany Jackson’s Allegedly knocked my socks off, and I can’t believe it’s not on the bestseller lists. I recommend it whenever I can.
B+C: What’s next on your to-read pile?
EB: Since he’s going on the Fierce Reads tour, I moved Taran Marathu’s Summoner Series to the top of my pile (and how had I not heard of these books before now?!?! I’m hooked.), but believe me, the TBR stack is about waist high right now. I have so many books I’m dying to read, but I tend to put the huge blockbuster books off a bit. Partly because too often I’ve been disappointed, but mostly because they already have the support they need.
B+C: What advice do you have for aspiring creative ladies?
EB: There’s no one else who can do you, so don’t try for anything else. I love knights and swords and intrigue, and I love Jane Austen, but I swear I never set out to write a book that encapsulated all of those elements — it just came out that way. Fill yourself with what you love, and when it overflows onto paper, it will be made from that. And what you love, others will love too. What inspires you will inspire others, I promise.
Got an author you’d like to see featured? Tweet us @BritandCo and let us know!
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Interview with Erin Beaty, Debut Author of The Traitor’s Kiss
Leave a comment April 24, 2017 Jonathan Rosen
Hello Tuesdays!
Today, I’m pleased to be joined by a fellow 2017 Debut member, Erin Beaty, whose debut young-adult novel, The Traitor’s Kiss, is scheduled to come out May 9 of 2017 from Imprint at MacMillan
JR: Hi, Erin and thanks for joining us today.
EB: Hi! I’m all aflutter! And my imprint at Macmillan is called “Imprint.” It’s new, and the name confuses everyone, but they have been awesome to work with.
JR: Before we begin, can you tell us a little bit about The Traitor’s Kiss and the impetus behind writing it?
EB: The Traitor’s Kiss is about a girl who lives in a country where the vast majority of marriages are made through a third party. Sage Fowler is unsuited for marriage by her society’s standards, but she finds herself desperate enough to take a job apprenticing with the local matchmaker, who is also head of the regional guild. When they set out for the Concordium, a national marriage conference in the capital city, rich brides in tow, their military escort stumbles across some suspicious activity. What they don’t realize is this plot is way bigger than anyone could have imagined. Sage becomes the key to figuring it all out, but in the meantime she’s gotten romantically entangled with one of the soldiers, and he’s got some big secrets. My publisher says it’s “Jane Austen with an espionage twist,” which thrills the hell out of me.
Honestly, I just wrote the book the 17-year-old girl inside of me wanted to read. She’s fiercely romantic, but she likes to hit things, too.
JR: I saw on your website, www.ErinBeaty.com, that you have a Naval background. That’s close to my heart, since my dad was in the Navy. Has that aspect of your life, moving around a lot, seeped into your writing and if so, how?
EB: I’m glad to know you survived being a Navy brat, because I’m carting around five of my own every few years. I worry I’m permanently damaging them, but the symbol of the military child is the dandelion for good reason.
So being a natural introvert, I live in my head, but even more so since we move around so much. It takes time for me to make friends and join the community… and then it’s time to move again. Since my husband is still in the navy, the majority of feeding, clothing, and getting our kids to school and appointments and activities falls on me. I don’t get out much, and blogging became somewhat of release valve, though for years I never realized how much I was growing as a writer.
As for influence on my writing, from my own naval service and education, I have solid knowledge of personality types and military leadership and structure, plus some actual fighting experience, and I think it shows. Many lessons my military characters learn, I learned the hard way. Also a lot of my early readers commented that I needed to describe the dresses more and the stabbing maybe a little less.
JR: Can you tell us a little bit about your writing journey getting to this point?
EB: So I mentioned a blog, but it was only for grandparents and friends so they could keep track of us and so I could remember the goofy things the kids did. I never considered it writing, but looking back I can see an evolution. Science and math were my strengths growing up, so I resisted the siren pull of writing until one day a fresh storyline popped in my head. All the kids were in school and pretty self-sufficient by then, and I had no excuse not to try putting it down. I went a little crazy and had a first draft in 6 weeks. It would be 46 more weeks before it was truly fit for human consumption, but at the time I didn’t know any better. Neither did most of the friends I shared it with, but their enthusiasm convinced me I had written something that could be published. Weirdly, almost no one was surprised that I started writing-it was like coming out of the closet. Everyone was like, “Duh.”
Research told me I needed an agent (and lots of editing- I wasn’t THAT crazy), so I revised and started querying, and the responses weren’t entirely awful (though my first queries were). After a few months of dipping my toes into the writing community, I realized I needed to do some major work on my manuscript, so I hammered at it and went back out with queries in the first week of May 2015, almost a year to the day that I had started writing the first draft. Three weeks later, I had my first offer of rep. The funny thing is that this agent, Valerie Noble, whom I ended up signing with, had requested the full six months earlier, back when I first started querying. If I hadn’t gone out way before I was should have, she never would have gotten to my manuscript (I sent her an updated version) right when it was ready. It felt like fate.
From there it was a couple rounds of revision (done in the middle of moving, because Navy) and right around Halloween, Valerie said she felt the book was ready to go out, and she listed all the big publishers she was sending it to. All I could think was, “WHUT?” I expected rejection, but hoped for advice or commentary that would help. I’d read about the submission process, and I knew it could take years and we might not even sell this book. In early January 2016, Valerie called to say I was going to acquisitions at Macmillan, and given it was the head editor pushing the book, she felt it was pretty much a shoe-in. Sure enough, they offered, and another offer came in shortly after. Again, all I could think was, “WHUT?” and that’s pretty much been my first thought every morning since.
JR: That was some new year’s gift!
JR: What’s your writing process like?
EB: I’m still figuring that out, but so far it involves Post Its on an easel page. I outline scenes and orders of events, then promptly turn my back and write the hell out of whatever story. Then I go back and futz with the Post Its-adding, subtracting, rearranging-then return to writing. So I outline, then pants it, then go back to the outline, then pants it again in a continuous cycle until it’s over. I kind of do grocery shopping the same way, so I think it just my method. In the editing process, I’ll write out a timeline of events, but when it comes to scene maps, character pages, and subplot charts, I have a very good memory, so I get lazy unless I start having problems-which I haven’t, yet. That is going to bite me in the butt someday. I don’t think I’m an example to emulate right now, especially since the actual writing part takes hold of me like pit bull and won’t let go for material/corporal needs. Remember all those kids I mentioned? Yeah, they like to eat dinner every day. What’s up with that?
JR: What’s your favorite book and who’s your favorite author?
EB: Probably Jane Austen’s Persuasion. I’m a sucker for a navy man and a love you just can’t forget. Oh, and Michael Crichton’s Timeline. How’s that for variety? I’d be hard pressed to pick a favorite author, though, because there’s always that one book (or two) they wrote that I hated-Robert Heinlein being probably the best example of that.
JR: What’s your favorite movie?
EB: That’s a toss-up between The Lion in Winter and A Man for All Seasons. The latter feeds my soul while the former feeds the cold-hearted bastard within. And every line in both is classic.
JR: Something people would be surprised to learn about you?
EB: I was a flag twirler in high school, and I still have my flags and rifle. Woo Color Guard!
JR: Do you do a lot of research when you write?
EB: My non-fiction writing long ago (a few academic articles and curriculum) always required research. Fortunately, I’ve got a really good memory, so most of my searches for The Traitor’s Kiss and its hopeful sequel were checks to make sure I was accurate on things like, um, stabbing. I don’t know I learned anything really new, though. My current WIP is a fairy-tale retelling, so mostly the “research” leans toward inspirational, get-me-in-the-mood stuff. I have one project percolating in my brain that I am dying to write, but it will be historical and not fantasy, so it will require loads of research. I’ve already bought about eight books on relevant topics, so I’m committed.
JR: Here at the Tuesdays, a big part of our success and the purpose of this site, has been being involved in a critique group. Are you involved in one and if so, how has it helped you?
EB: I found some partners online who were a tremendous help, but my publishing journey has been so fast I quickly outgrew the groups I joined. That sounds horribly stuck-up, but it’s the truth. I still try to help those writers out, but my spare time is at a premium with family and writing and edits and trying to figure out how to promote myself. The Swanky 17s, the group of fellow YA/MG debut writers, will probably become my new critique group. I’ve already done some critiquing of a Swanky’s WIP, and that relationship seems to be headed in the right direction for future CPing. I also have been teaching classes at the local writing center, and I’m finally making connections that could become writers’ groups, but it’s tough because it’s mostly poets and military fiction around here. YA is almost unheard of. It’s also almost time to move again.
JR: What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve received and is there any advice you can give to writers looking to break in?
EB: I would say “Write what you know” with one caveat: Go out and learn! Don’t write about something until you understand it, or at least don’t share it until you do. You’d be amazed what you do know, however, and how many human experiences are universal. Use your passion as a springboard for exploration. As for trying to break in, again, everything for me was so fast I hate to say things like “Never give up!” and “Don’t be afraid to trunk a novel and move on!” because it sounds fake coming from me. So I’ll say surround yourself with people who believe in you, BUT learn to take criticism. Just because you don’t like what someone says doesn’t mean it’s not valid, no matter what your friends are telling you, especially if your friends aren’t writers. I lost a few test CPs because they didn’t like what I had to say about their writing. My delivery was lacking, no doubt, but I stand by my advice.
JR: What are you working on next?
EB: Fingers crossed that the sequel to The Traitor’s Kiss gets bought. Imprint is super enthused about the first book, so I’m optimistic, but it’s terrifying nonetheless. My side WIP is a Cinderella retelling from the prince’s perspective. The market may not support it by the time I’m done, but it brings me joy to write. The percolating one is a nerdy Pride and Prejudice. And I’ve got dozens of other ideas. Once I let the writing monster out of the cage, there was no going back, apparently.
JR: Is there anything that else you want to share with our readers or perhaps tell them how they can follow you on social media?
EB: Ugh, I need to work on a newsletter, but I’m still in that mindset of being bewildered that anyone would want to read what I wrote, plus I have very little news I can share at the moment. I’ve got that website, but not much on it yet, and a Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ErinBeatyAuthor/. On twitter I’m @ErinBeatyWrites and I’m technically on Instagram as ErinBeatyWrites (am I original or what?), but I’m still figuring that one out.
JR: Before we go, I always like to ask, who’s your favorite member of The Tuesdays?
EB: Of course it you, Jonathan! We 2017 Debut Authors have to stick together. But Cathy, Jo, Melody, Faran, and Stacie are all delightful, and I admire the work you do for others, like this interview. I’m honored to be a part of your site. Writers really are the best community out there!
JR: Awww, thank you, Erin, but it really wasn’t necessary . . . to mention the others also, but very nice of you to do.
Anyway, thank you again and the best of luck with The Traitor’s Kiss!
Erin Beaty was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, which means she can't drive a tractor, but she won't eat veggies that come from a can. She graduated from the US Naval Academy with a degree in rocket science and somehow always ended up writing her study group's lab reports. After serving in the fleet as a weapons officer and a leadership instructor, it still amazes her when other people want to hear the stories that come out of her head.She and her husband have five children, two cats, and a vegetable garden and live wherever the navy tells them to go.The Traitor's Kiss is her debut novel.
I was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, which means I can't drive a tractor, but I won't eat veggies that come from a can.
After high school, I tossed off to the U.S. Naval Academy where I earned my BS in Aerospace Engineering (Astronautics) and German (Ja!) then headed to the fleet as a weapons officer on a combat destroyer. After that I did a tour at the Center for Naval Leadership as an instructor, then resigned my commission to pursue my side hobby of populating the Church of Rome.
For the next few years, I followed my navy husband around the country, our growing family in tow, until one day I sat down at the computer and let one of the stories in my head out. Telling my friends and family I was trying to be a serious writer was a bit like coming out of the closet. At first it was terrifying, but many of them just nodded and said they had always known I was a writer, they were just waiting for the day I could acknowledge it.
I teach classes at The Muse Writers Center in Norfolk, Virginia, and I am also on the advisory board of Hampton Roads Writers.
In early 2016 I sold my first novel to Imprint, Macmillan for publication in June 2017, and I've been mentally screaming in joy and terror since.
I am represented by the lovely and very patient Valerie Noble of Donaghy Literary Group.
Beaty , Erin: THE TRAITOR'S KISS
(Apr. 1, 2017):
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Beaty , Erin THE TRAITOR'S KISS Imprint (Children's Fiction) $18.99 5, 9 ISBN: 978-1-250-11794-6
Marital and martial matters collide when brides and spies become ensnared in a treasonous plot. A matchmaker's apprentice, 16-year-old Sage Fowler accompanies a bevy of noble brides on their way to the quinquennial Concordium. Not a bastard--despite her botanical name--but an orphaned poor relation, the unmarriageable, white Sage cannily observes servants and ladies until her spycraft catches the attention of the military and the mysterious, "dusky"-complexioned Ash Carter. The brides' escort of royal soldiers (and incognito royalty) provides protection...and also seeks to stop an impending revolt by disgruntled nobles and a raid by desperate--if one-dimensionally barbaric--Kimisar bandits. Soon, Sage and the soldiers must save the brides, the prince, and the kingdom. As indicated by cuisine and clothing, Demora is a pre-industrial, vaguely European nation bound by marriage and divided by class. Sage is a clever, contrary female protagonist who remains realistic and likable, while her fellow protagonist Ash is enigmatic enough to require a second read. Debut author Beaty overcomes a pedestrian fantasy premise and built world through her complex characterization, deftly layered adventure story, and balanced blend of political maneuvering, romantic interludes, and action scenes. This is one series opener that really merits a sequel. Both epic and intimate, a semi-old-fashioned alternative to the wave of inexplicably lethal superheroines and their smoldering love triangles. (Adventure. 14-adult)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Beaty , Erin: THE TRAITOR'S KISS." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Apr. 2017. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA487668628&it=r&asid=f86cf5455f27ff7990a4d94e909f8fd5. Accessed 7 Oct. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A487668628
The Traitor's Kiss
264.11 (Mar. 13, 2017): p87.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
* The Traitor's Kiss
Erin Beaty. Imprint, $18.99 (352p) ISBN 978-1250-11794-6
Beaty's engrossing debut introduces 16-year-old Sage Fowler, who is sent to apprentice with a matchmaker, Darnessa Rodelle, after her Uncle William declares her unmatchable. Sage is initially livid about this turn of events, but she realizes that the apprenticeship might be her ticket to freedom. Soon, Mistress Rodelle, Sage, and a bevy of brides-to-be set off on a monthlong journey to the capital city of Tennegol, where the girls hope to be matched, with Capt. Alexander Quinn and his soldiers as escorts. When a plot to overthrow the king is discovered, Quinn seeks to use Sage as a spy. The frippery of matchmaking provides an enticing counter to the treachery; Sage is outspoken, smart, and determined to make her own way, though all bets are off after she meets the intriguing Ash Carter. This is an action-packed, expertly plotted story, drenched in double crosses and intrigue, with an irresistible heroine and a sweet and sexy romance. A late-breaking twist gives way to a final act that will leave readers eager for subsequent books in this planned trilogy. Ages 14--up. Agent: Valerie Noble, Donaghy Literary. (May)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"The Traitor's Kiss." Publishers Weekly, 13 Mar. 2017, p. 87. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA485971740&it=r&asid=f9fd504fb1a8a5ef109ec80b3c1249a7. Accessed 7 Oct. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A485971740
Review: The Traitor’s Kiss by Erin Beaty
The Traitor's Kiss by Erin Beaty
Series: Traitor's Trilogy #1
Published by Imprint on May 9th 2017
Pages: 352
Format:ARC
Source:Copy provided by publisher for review
Goodreads• Amazon • Book Depository
An obstinate girl who will not be married. A soldier desperate to prove himself. A kingdom on the brink of war.
With a sharp tongue and an unruly temper, Sage Fowler is not what they’d call a lady―which is perfectly fine with her. Deemed unfit for marriage, Sage is apprenticed to a matchmaker and tasked with wrangling other young ladies to be married off for political alliances. She spies on the girls―and on the soldiers escorting them.
As the girls' military escort senses a political uprising, Sage is recruited by a handsome soldier to infiltrate the enemy ranks. The more she discovers as a spy, the less certain she becomes about whom to trust―and Sage becomes caught in a dangerous balancing act that will determine the fate of her kingdom.
I don’t… I don’t fully even understand what just happened here. And I didn’t care enough to worry about it, so there’s that. This basically sums up my experience:
Sigh. So, a friend asked me how it was going when I was around page 50. So by that I mean, I won’t be spoiling anything for you. But this was how I’d sum it up:
We meet girl. She doesn’t want to be married. Uncle says she must; sets up a meeting with a matchmaker. For reasons. She plans to run away. Girl’s like “nah, that seems hard”, meets with matchmaker. Pisses off matchmaker, who then asks her to BE a matchmaker. THEN, random switch to some RANDOM ASS DUDE who is not properly introduced. And a… war skirmish.
Then a time jump. And I still have NO FUCKING CLUE who this guy is, and why there have been 4 chapters in his POV. And why there is a war. Or why this matchmaking thing is so important. Or anything.
Seriously, it jumped back and forth and the military guy POV was talking about places that meant nothing to me, groups of people that I had never heard of. Are these counties, kingdoms, cities? I don’t know. But it was confusing, because they’re talking about attacks and strategies, and I had no idea. Just… nope. As such, it was incredibly confusing.
So, let’s push that aside, because I have never and will never understand it. Let’s get back to our girl Sage, who has decided that she’ll be the matchmaker’s apprentice. Again, for reasons. None that are clear to me, but whatever. Here’s my main problem with Sage: I get that she doesn’t want to be married off to some random guy. I get it. I respect it. Hell, I agree with it. But she is so damn judgmental of the girls who are looking forward to finding husbands. And yeah, it wouldn’t be my cup of tea either, but why do you have to rain on everyone else’s parade, girl? She makes it very clear that she feels superior for being “above” the whole finding a mate thing.
And lest we forget, there is some really… racially insensitive stuff going on here too. There are a lot of reviews that go into more detail about this, so do check them out, but here’s a snippet in case you were wondering:
“I’ve noticed how some of the soldiers look at you. Especially that darker one you spend time with.”
What!? NO. That is something like, your grandma’s old, racist friend would say, leading you to explain why that is not okay. And it is not. Also, I know a lot of people have discussed the dark skinned aggressor trope, but I legit had no idea who was fighting who, so I was so lost I can’t even comment on that part. But the descriptions alone of the different armies and their levels of “darkness” were bad enough. And frankly, it seemed like they had no other defining characteristics, which is probably why I couldn’t figure out who was fighting or why. And in case you were wondering, yes, it is made abundantly clear that Sage is white.
Anyway, for a more detailed account, I’m going to link you over to the lovely Aila’s review, because she discusses this well.
Now, we must talk about the society. Look, I get that a lot of societies- hell, even our own, often- treats women as “lesser than”. But this was just kind of gross. Sage was seen as extra special because she climbed trees and wore pants as a kid. Well, guess what? Not everyone had that luxury, I’m sure. She ended up being well educated, which again is not something other girls had the opportunity to do. So instead of, I don’t know, helping out your fellow woman, instead Sage just rolls her eyes at them and becomes a special snowflake. She solves all the things, even things that there is really no basis for her to have been able to figure out (can’t say much more because spoilers), and it seems like answers to problems just pop out of thin air and into her head so she can save everyone. Because she hates makeup and dresses.
There were some twists which I think might have been good if I’d had any idea what was happening in the first place. But I was so confused, and by this point, angry, that I just couldn’t bring myself to be too shocked with any revelation- mostly because I wasn’t sure if it was a twist, or just my own confusion being sorted out a little. Like “OH, now I get that one thing!”, but is that because it was a twist, or I just finally understood what was happening? No way to know, friends. No way to know.
Will I Read the Sequel? Yeah, really really not. Which is rare for me. But I cannot with this book. Or Sage. Or the confusion.
Bottom Line: I still have no idea what I read. All I know is that I was not a fan of most of the characters (save a few side ones that I kind of enjoyed) and really have no idea why there was a war happening and what this group of girls had to do with any of it. And definitely not here for the racial tropes either.
Review of “The Traitor’s Kiss” by Erin Beaty
Posted on 08/07/2017
by rhapsodyinbooks
In this young adult fantasy, Sage Fowler, 17, is an apprentice to a matchmaker. She was taken on in part because she herself would not be much of a “threat” to matches proposed vis-a-vis other girls – she was an orphan with no property of her own; she wasn’t into dressing up or “acting like” a girl; and perhaps most importantly, she could not long maintain a subservient demeanor. Her job is to covertly help the matchmaker evaluate potential matches, which is especially important because of the upcoming Concordium during which many of the liaisons are formalized.
Because of recent unrest in the kingdom, the girls are to be escorted by a division of soldiers made up in part of members of the royal family traveling incognito. They too are interested in surreptitiously evaluating people to see if they can ferret out the intentions of one of the hosts along the route, Duke Morrow D’Amiran.
Sage spends time with the army’s cart driver, Ash Carter, with both of them using the other to gather information. They end up falling for each other, but it is based on a lie about who each of them is. Meanwhile, there is treachery afoot, and both the brides and the army are in extreme danger. The pace of action picks up, as does the possibility of romance.
Discussion: There are many caricatured aspects of this book, from the shallowness of most of the girls seeking husbands, to the beard-stroking villain. But the non-villainous characters are well-drawn, and so appealing you may overlook the cartoonish figures.
Likewise, the plot has little unpredictable about it, except perhaps for one tragic event that happens at the end, a development that took courage for the author to include.
Evaluation: While there isn’t much surprising about this story, I found it very entertaining and even edge-of-your-seat towards the end, and eagerly look forward to the next “installments.” (Initially I thought it was a standalone, but found to my surprise after completing the book that it is part one of a trilogy – surprising because the story does in fact have an “ending,” a nice feature one doesn’t always find with trilogies.). And who could resist the fabulous cover?
Rating: 3.5/5
Monday, April 17, 2017
Review: The Traitor's Kiss by Erin Beaty
The Traitor's Kiss by Erin Beaty
Book One of the Traitor's trilogy
Publisher: Imprint (Macmillan)
Publication Date: May 9, 2017
Rating: 3 stars
Source: ARC sent by the publisher
Summary (from Goodreads):
An obstinate girl who will not be married.
A soldier desperate to prove himself.
A kingdom on the brink of war.
With a sharp tongue and an unruly temper, Sage Fowler is not what they’d call a lady―which is perfectly fine with her. Deemed unfit for marriage, Sage is apprenticed to a matchmaker and tasked with wrangling other young ladies to be married off for political alliances. She spies on the girls―and on the soldiers escorting them.
As the girls' military escort senses a political uprising, Sage is recruited by a handsome soldier to infiltrate the enemy ranks. The more she discovers as a spy, the less certain she becomes about whom to trust―and Sage becomes caught in a dangerous balancing act that will determine the fate of her kingdom.
What I Liked:
This is probably going to end up ending the most mixed of mixed reviews of all time. I feel both extremes of the spectrum, with this book. On the one hand, there were parts of the story that I really enjoyed. On the other hand, there were parts of the story and the book in general that I abhorred. I recognize some problematic content, but mostly it was the boring quality of the writing and storytelling that dragged my enjoyment - and the rating - straight down.
Sage Fowler was taken in by her uncle, a nobleman, at a young age. Now sixteen, she is not marriageable, and she becomes apprenticed to a matchmaker. Sage detests matchmaking, but Mistress Rodelle - Darnessa - is extremely astute and a master manipulator when it comes to making matches. Sage learns how to be crafty and astute from Darnessa - more than she already was. Sage isn't working for Darnessa for very long before she, Darnessa, and a bevy of eligible noble ladies begin the journey to nation's capital for a large event to see the noblewomen married. Escorting them are highly trained young soldiers, led by Captain Alexander Quinn. Alex has a secret undercover mission to accomplish while escorting the ladies, one that Sage must not know about. But he decides to recruit Sage when he realizes how clever and observant she is. Navigating the web of deceit and scheming that surrounds them proves critical, because they uncover a plot that is on its way to toppling the kingdom.
This book is written in third-person, limited to several POVs. There is Sage's, and Alex's, and several others', though Sage's and Alex's are the most important. The chapters do not alter between characters. I personally really enjoy third-person narratives (most of the time), so this worked for me. Especially with all of the deceit going on (on both Sage and Alex's part, to the world and to each other).
Speaking of deceit, it was cleverly done, by Beaty - this very particular thing that she did that I won't talk about more specifically. She had me fooled for a little, but I figured it out long before the major hints were dropped. Mostly it was hope, and not quite "figuring it out". You'd have to read the book to see what I mean!
I had a hard time caring about Sage (and I'll take about her in the next section), but I did like Alex a lot. Alex is the first son of the General, and he is already a captain, at twenty-one years old. He is young but very mature, intelligent, clever, and selfless. He commands the attention and respect of everyone who meets and knows him, and with good reason. He kind of reminds me of Brigan (from Kristin Cashore's Fire, a.k.a. my favorite book of all time). He's quiet, alert, calculating, and perceptive, and he is brave and selfless and always concerned about protecting and accounting for everyone else. Alex is a good man and a good person, and I am in awe of all of the clever planning and scheming he did throughout this book.
The politics and the scheming were a lot to handle at times, so I commend Beaty on doing a fairly decent job of packing so much of it into a YA book. To be honest, I'm going to complain about how boring this book was in the next section, and that boredom is partly due to the amount of political "stuff" the author has going on (maybe too much). But on the other hand, it was cool that she went so far with everything political.
What else... I guess I liked the romance. No love triangle, and the romance is kind of neat, if you think about it (I won't say too much). I liked how little drama there was - especially since there was potential for A LOT of drama towards the end of the book. Again, no love triangle, and probably no love triangle in the future, though I don't want to speak too quickly. This latest crop of YA debut authors reaaaaaally seem to like introducing love triangles in book two.
The book ends very well, though one could argue that most book ones of a trilogy end really well. It's a good ending, and I liked it! In general, I liked the story, though it's not super original. Once I got past the first one hundred pages or so (maybe one hundred and fifty), I got a little more invested in the story and I wanted to know more. But I also had issues with the book - see below.
What I Did Not Like:
Ohhhhh boy. This might take a while. Or it might not. It's 2:30 AM and this review should have been posted two and a half hours ago, so, this section might be brief in comparison to how much I really want to discuss.
The beginning of this book was incredibly boring. Friends, I usually muscle through anything. I power through boring like nobody's business. Slow start? No problem! I will keep reading because I believe in you and your book and I want to give it a fair shot. Slow starts are the worst (or one of the worst) but they almost never deter me. But, friends. I almost stopped reading this book, after about one hundred pages.
Most of you know me well by now - I don't stopped reading. I don't DNF. I always finish books I start. And yet, I was so close to setting this one aside (and arguably never coming back to it, because who has the time for that). The first one hundred pages are so incredibly boring! My goodness, they are the reason why I am writing this review so late! I didn't care for Sage, or her tragic backstory (which doesn't really add up to me, by the way), or her pity-party in which she doesn't want to get married or be forced to do blah blah blah. I also didn't really care about whatever scouting mission Alex was on, because it was a real snoozefest.
Things started to look up when Alex and his soldiers begin escorting the caravan of ladies to the Concordium in the capital, to hopefully become brides of lords and nobles. Then things start to get a little more interesting - though still boring. I think I was fully invested when they reach a duke's home, because that is when action actually starts to happen.
Is this a slow-burn type of story? Maybe? But it took way too long to get to any type of "good stuff", especially for a YA fantasy novel. Sure, Sage is supposed to be some great intellectual, and Alex is supposed to be a very clever soldier, so you'd expect a lot of mind games and internal action happening. But there was too much thinking and politics and it was incredibly boring.
Keep in mind, I usually love the intellectual mind games and the politics. But in this book? Snooze.
Also, the fact that this book is a YA high fantasy baffled me a little, mostly because I had a hard time grasping the world-building. I could barely keep track of the names of the countries, let alone figure out who was an enemy country and who wasn't. The author did a poor job of conveying the world to readers. I don't even know what nation Alex is from and is serving! Demora? I don't think it's Kimisara because I'm 80% sure Kimisara is the enemy country. Maybe? See!
The author also had me a little lost when it came to the skin tones and physical descriptions. I think she was trying to be purposefully vague AND make sure we knew that she had some diversity going on, in her book. But I was just so confused. So is Alex some sort of golden/tanned-skinned guy? Mixed heritage? Sage is pale? The enemies are "dark"-skinned? It bothered me how often the author used the same word to describe skin tone (dark, dark, dark), though I suppose there isn't anything flagrant about the word.
I didn't really like Sage - well, I liked her sometimes, and other times I didn't. I didn't like her at all, in the beginning. She is incredibly stuck up! She grew up with poor parents who let her run around in the forest and become one with nature (I'm exaggerating, but you get the idea), so when her uncle of genteel birthing takes her in with his wife and small children, Sage is not amenable to the domestic lifestyle and refuses to get married. What's more, she really looks down on the ladies that are sent to the matchmaker to get married. Who are you to judge young ladies who want a matchmaker to help them secure their future? Who are you to judge whether they are frivolous or shallow because they like gorgeous dresses and looking pretty? Sage is such a snob! Look, I have nothing against girls who don't like what are known as typically "girly" things (dresses, hair, giggling about boys, whatever), but I also have nothing against girls who DO like those things. Sage could be a little less judgmental? Read: a lot less.
But she sort of grew on me, as the story went on. She is so nosy and way too intrusive for her own good, but I don't deny that she is smart and occasionally capable, and realistic in many cases. Like, she knows she isn't suddenly an expert in defending herself after having one lesson in fighting.
Originally, this book was pitched as a Mulan retelling. Now I think they're pitching it as some sort of Jane Austen inspired novel. In any case, the Mulan retelling aspect is garbage, and I don't know why the author and publisher were selling this one as that. Helllooooooooo, whitewashing! And I'm really not understanding the Jane Austen pitch (and yes, I've read enough Jane Austen to know).
Tl;dr - the book was boring and not just in the beginning, though mostly in the beginning. There are problematic aspects, there are annoying aspects, and I didn't always like the female protagonist. And I was confused about the world-building.
Would I Recommend It:
I'm going to go ahead and say no, I don't recommend this book. Who even knows what kind of mess the author will make, in book two? There was NO HINT of love triangle in this book, but I'm pretty much going to just brace myself for the introduction of some mysterious hot prince or something, who will fall in love with Sage (and of course she'll return those feelings even though she has found her one and only, in this book). This book wasn't impressive, it wasn't a big hit like I expected, and it's a trilogy written by a debut author. Yeah, I don't recommend it.
Rating:
2.5 stars. I think I'll round up to 3 stars because there were aspects of this book that I really liked (Alex, the romance, the general story, the amount of insane deception going on). But it really wasn't anything special, and there were enough problems to irritate me. I might read the rest of the series? I might not? I think I need to see the synopsis of book two to make that decision.