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Inspiring the Works of Valerie Jean

  • Face the Fire, by Nora Roberts

    February 18th, 2020

    Summary

    The conclusion to the Three Sisters Island Trilogy gives us once again, another perspective of magic. One that is a whole-hearted lifestyle, influencing not only beliefs, but also holidays and hopes and who our protagonist loves.

    Mia Devlin, alongside her two sister witches, Nell Channing and Ripley Todd, must finally take her turn at defeating the darkness trying to drown the island they call home. Just as Mia’s ancestor lost her love to the call of the sea, Mia lost her love to the call of life outside of the island. When Sam Logan left the island, he left Mia broken and alone. His return to island over a decade later, at this point in the cycle of the curse, is no coincidence. Mia must come to terms with the love and attraction she still feels for him, despite the lack of trust she has in him.

    When Sam purchases the only hotel on the island and makes it obvious he’s back to stay and ready to pursue Mia, she is tempted to throw herself back into his arms. However, she must stay focused if she is to defeat the evil that has taken the form of a large, magical wolf. The only way she can save the island is through learning to trust again – herself and her love.

    Evaluation – plot content style

    The plot of this final novel is far more abstract. If you don’t believe in magic for at least the duration of this book, you’ll lose interest quickly. There are many events – visions and manifestations – that could only be construed through belief in magic. And the main romantic conflict revolves around the magic; not only the bright magic of their love, but also the dark magic that pulls Mia’s ancestor’s lover away and feeds off of Mia’s doubt. While the storyline itself is strong, with a clear beginning, middle, and end, the drive of the book comes from its references to magic and witchcraft.

    Stylistically, the novel is beautifully written. There are poetic chants, which are skillfully put together by Roberts, but nearly overused at points. The figurative language she uses helps readers connect to how magic infuses the lives of both Mia and Sam. It is impossible to give concrete details for abstract, concept ideas, so the style of the book is very figurative.

    The content of this book covers less controversial issues than the previous two, but there are still some relevant to today’s society. Parental pressure, Trust in relationships, and belief in oneself, just to name a few. The most impactful issue within the book is the existence and use of magic and witchcraft. These topics even tie into an intense sex scene between Mia and Sam, where they share not only their bodies, but also their magic. This makes it more powerful and connects them even more.

    Similar/Related Readings

    Dance Upon the Air: Book One in the Three Sisters Island Trilogy, by Nora Roberts

    Heaven and Earth: Book Two in the Three Sisters Island Trilogy, by Nora Roberts

  • In honor of the Daytona 500…

    February 18th, 2020

    Click here for my review of Driven, by K. Bromberg!

  • Secret for Life

    February 16th, 2020

    “I have a secret.”

    “I’ll bet I know what it is.”

    She yanks my ear down

    To hear the sound

    Of her tiny whispered voice

    Making just enough precious noise

    To hear her say,

    “I love you, Mommy,”

    In a voice with a smile.

    Then she hugs me awhile.

    Her arms wrap around my neck

    And I have to check

    The tears that well up

    Because of her unconditional love.

    “I have one for you.”

    I know just what to do.

    I lift her into my arms

    And give her all of my charms.

    “I love you Sweet Pea.

    You’ll always have me.”

    Then I squeeze her so tight

    But she doesn’t try to fight

    How I hold her close

    From her head to her toes.

    -Valerie Jean

  • I Hold in My Hand

    February 16th, 2020

    I hold in my hand,

    The beginning and the end.

    It starts like a new morn,

    Shining down on the earth.

    It begins to take shape,

    Like a babe before birth.

    It grows and expands

    Until it fills up my heart

    I hold in my hand,

    The laughter and the tears.

    The difference between happiness,

    Or sad, lonely years.

    The gift from another soul,

    In this lifetime,

    The meaning of all.

    The rhythm and the rhyme.

    I hold in my hand,

    The love of another.

    A gift from a friend,

    Or family or lover.

    What I do with this gift

    Is completely up to me.

    I’ll treasure it forever.

    For all eternity.

    -Valerie Jean

  • Heaven and Earth, by Nora Roberts

    February 16th, 2020

    Click here to read my review of the second book in the Three Sisters Island Trilogy!

    Look for my review of Face the Fire, the conclusion to this magical series!

  • Me and You

    February 16th, 2020

    Sitting outside in the dark.

    Just sitting and thinking.

    Thinking about you and me,

    And me and you.

    Reliving past memories and dreaming of you.

    Barely believing how lucky I am.

    So lucky that I found you,

    And you found me.

    Wishing you were here.

    Here in the dark, sitting.

    Sitting and thinking and dreaming.

    Just me and you.

    -Valerie Jean

  • Dance Upon the Air, by Nora Roberts

    February 15th, 2020

    Click here for a summary and evaluation, as well as similar or related reading!

  • Valentine’s Day Romance

    February 15th, 2020

    This is a ranting article…If biased, venting sessions aren’t for you, read no further! I don’t even know if I’m going to actually post this one, but I need to get it off my chest. For twenty developmental years of my life, and then some, ALL reasons for celebration in my family were honored with small gifts and experiences. Nothing huge or expensive, but gifts with meaning and thought. Gifts that showed love and foresight. Obviously for Christmas and birthdays, but also anniversaries, Easter, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and basically any other day that gave us a reason to gift something to each other.

    I have spent the last dozen years trying to pretend it doesn’t matter that my husband doesn’t gift things to me on special days. He gifts things to me all year long with his time and effort. I gift myself what I want or need throughout the year anyway, so why do the gifts on these days matter? On my first Mother’s Day when he didn’t even get me a card because I told him I didn’t want anything, I realized that I had lied. I tried so hard to not make it matter that it mattered a lot.

    I still wasn’t surprised when he woke up this morning on Valentine’s Day and went, “Oh crap…” while the girls ran around and opened their flowers and chocolate, while he pulled out the patterned underwear and socks I got him, and while I stood there and sniffed the flowers I got for myself a couple days ago at Save-A-Lot. But it did matter. One in three women are disappointed by their significant other on at least one Valentine’s Day. I guess at least he’s consistent.

    Why do I get upset even though he’s an attentive, cooperative, compromising, caring husband? It’s one day a year (maybe a few more with the other holidays he ignores or misses, but who’s counting?) Obviously I am, but why do these one day a year holidays mean so much? I’m tearing up as I’m writing this, and I’m not sure if it’s because I’m sad or angry or what. Sad that my relationship has lost its romance (if it ever really had any that wasn’t forced by me)? Angry that he was so thoughtless and didn’t plan ahead at all? But I know him, so the anger and sadness are just wasted time and energy. I’ve read the Five Love Languages book and know everyone expresses and needs to receive love in different ways. He’s never been overly romantic or able to plan ahead, so I don’t know why, after twelve years, I still get upset on these silly, commercialized holidays that shouldn’t mean so much. But I do. So if someone has an answer or solution on how to fix my reaction to our underwhelming holidays, please comment below!

    I shouldn’t rant, because love isn’t about just giving and getting gifts. I know I’ll get home from work and he’ll have the kids home and dinner ready. I know he’ll support me no matter what mistakes I make. I know he’ll be by my side no matter what obstacles life throws at us. I know that even on our worst days, I have it better than many people on their best days. Happy Valentine’s day. Don’t forget to spread the love!

  • A Need for Romance

    February 11th, 2020

    As someone who studied literature through college and Graduate school, I understand that most romance novels may not be masterfully written and constructed works of art. They may not live eternally on the shelves of historians and scholars. Their deeper meaning may not be studied, nor their role in society evaluated. However, the role they play in my life and the lives of others proves that there is a variety of needs for them. A genre that was once written about women by women for women has expanded into a culture of subtopics and niches that can appeal to nearly anyone.

    When my brain needs to slow down, but my heart needs a burst of speed, I turn to a romance novel. It’s not a type of reading that challenges my thoughts or forces me to connect the words to construct meaning. It’s a type of reading that relaxes my mind as it connects the characters and story to my own life. Reading romance helps me escape from the cycle that is work, clean, kids, repeat. Getting lost in a romantic story helps me avoid self-destructive risky behaviors because I get that feeling of excitement and mystery by living vicariously through the characters. I am not alone in this feeling, either. In 2019, 29 million other people admitted to reading romances regularly. (https://www.thebalancecareers.com/romance-novels-about-the-romance-fiction-genre-2799896)

    According to A Brief History of the Romance Novel by Amanda Pagan, “Typically, romance novels reflect the desires of their audience.” (https://www.nypl.org/blog/2019/02/15/brief-history-romance-novel-recommendations)

    As more sub-genres came to be throughout the decades – historical romance, Gothic romance, exotic romance, workplace romance, paranormal romance, LGBTQ romance, BDSM romance – the genre filled more and more people’s needs.

    The themes of romance expanded with the growth and development of society, specifically the roles of women. Currently relevant themes and topics include resistance against the expected role of women, explicit consent within the novel to achieve equality among characters, diversity among voices and perspectives, and overcoming or accepting personal flaws. Romance has always been impacted by our social and political environment. (https://www.dispatch.com/entertainmentlife/20180210/romance-novels-adapt-to-reflect-changes-in-society-politics)

    My favorites for meeting my various needs? At around the age of fifteen, Johanna Lindsey was my first love affair with romance novels. Sure, I read whatever my mom passed down to me, but her far-away, historical fantasies with strong, nearly-cliche characters inspired me to seek romance and adventure from a young age. I would stay up late into the night, with the flashlight on under my blanket, finishing “just one more chapter.” Until I usually finished the whole book. You can’t have romance without a happy ending. Johanna Lindsey’s books will always hold a special place for me, and I nostalgically read them every now and then now. (With her passing this year, be on the lookout for a tribute article or review from me in her honor.)

    As I’ve grown older, and experienced more of life, however, I’ve come to understand that cynicism can ruin the imagination.

    I actually took a break from reading fiction of almost every sort while I taught for ten years. Finally having time to look back on it, I don’t know why I didn’t let my love of it guide my choice of hobbies and career more. Turning to writing and blogging at this point has allowed me to open up to new authors, as well as more seasoned ones that I had not investigated in years. It has also given me personal confidence and peace I haven’t attained in years.

    Nora Roberts is another author who has been a consistent favorite throughout my years as a romance reader. Her realistic characters thrust into extraordinary circumstances always force me to care and feel. Just the sheer amount of novels she’s written floors me – over 200 books, according to Wikipedia! The variety of styles, from magical to mystery to dramatic romance, as well as her JD Robb persona, and other pseudonyms make me respect her abilities as a storyteller. The woman gives me a role model as a writer. And she continues to produce books with amazing characters and compelling story-lines.

    There are also thousands of new authors out both in print and ebook. In fact, ebook sales are outpacing mass-market paperbacks by about 7%. (https://www.thebalancecareers.com/romance-novels-about-the-romance-fiction-genre-2799896).

    Male-oriented romance novels are becoming more and more popular. I recently read The Driven Series, by K. Bromberg, on my Kindle about a race-car driver and charity worker that included his point of view and loved it. There’s even a reading guide, Raced, telling important parts of the story from his perspective! Look for a reviews of Driven, Fueled, Crashed, Raced, and Aced to come!

    The genre of romance and the importance of it within our culture and society are far-reaching and deserve to be awarded for the positivism and hope it spreads as a genre.

  • My First Blog Post

    February 10th, 2020

    What is Romance?

    “Love doesn’t make the world go round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.”

    -Elizabeth Barrett Browning

    Romance is the excitement and mystery found in love. Romance novels encompass the extreme highs and lows involving the emotion of love. Uncovering quality romance often means reading an extensive amount of novels and novellas. Follow my blog for insight into different types of romance novels, hot new authors, and sexy scene ratings!

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