The genesis for my fantasy/paranormal romance, THE AWAY PLACE, is a little different from my other books. In this tale, I wanted to create a magical place for the heroine to heal, but I also wanted to include storylines from two unfinished short stories that I’d worked on in the past.
The first short story was entitled “Do-Over”. I started writing this for an online publisher with the idea that the heroine, doomed to die, would be getting a magical “do-over”. For various reasons, I didn’t get very far with this.
The second short story was “Educating Mr. Wrong”, where the hero was rather uncouth and the heroine would make him see the error of his ways. Again, I didn’t get very far with this because other projects came my way so I dropped it.
I also decided to include an actual fairytale that I’d written for a writer’s course. Now retitled “The Princess’ Soulmate”, this fairytale includes the magical North Wind... who is an integral character in THE AWAY PLACE.
From the book’s blurb, you can see how “Do-Over” plays an important part and also how “Educating Mr. Wrong” fits in, too!
A HEALING HEARTS ROMANCE
THREE STRIKES AGAINST HER:
Marta Jordan has hit rock bottom... and she’s only
twenty-one. Her parents are killed in a tragic accident, her new husband steals
from her, and a serious health diagnosis threatens her life. Marta is in
desperate need of an intervention. Enter her fairy godmother and fairy
godfather: Sola and Quill--the East and North Winds. Providing an enchanted
cabin so Marta can heal, they also offer her a do-over... and a chance to walk
on the wild side. Will Marta throw all caution to the wind (pun intended!) and
listen to her magical helpers?
SECOND TIME’S A CHARM:
Joe Noble is every woman’s Mr. Wrong. So much so that his
wife not only divorced him, but their ten-year-old son, Nicky, too. Now only
looking for a good time with no strings attached, Joe gets a wake-up call when
the consequences of his irresponsible actions finally catch up to him. He has a
choice: he can continue to drift or he can “man up” to become a good father, in
addition to wooing and winning the woman of his heart, Marta.
BONUS: The fairytale, “The Princess’ Soulmate” is also included!
Down-and-out Marta Jordan gets a second chance when the magical North and East Winds stage an intervention. Will she accept their challenge and to learn to love again?
Amazon.com and Smashwords.com.
Universal link: https://books2read.com/u/47vQXL
In print at Amazon.com.
THE AWAY PLACE is available at Amazon.com and Smashwords.com, in addition to other internet locations. Universal link: https://books2read.com/u/47vQXL
It’s received great reviews including 5 Stars on Amazon!
Here are some wonderful reviews:
* 5 Stars! A romantic, sweet, and unforgettable fairytale! THE AWAY
PLACE serves up two opposites, Marta and Joe, who are both recovering from the
slings and arrows of life. Throw in the magic of a delightful godmother and an
incredibly sexy godfather, and you have the ingredients for a delightful story
that will please all romance readers! THE AWAY PLACE is a wonderful place to
leave your everyday burdens at the door!--Twists on Romance Reviews
* 5 Stars! THE AWAY PLACE delivers! You’ll find magic, romance, sexy encounters, second chances, precocious children, healing hearts, and an original classic fairytale: “The Princess’ Soulmate.” Young Marta Jordan has been hit so many times by tragedy, she’s begging for a do-over. The Four Winds of Myth and Legend decide to grant her request... in the form of good-time bad boy, Joe Noble. But whiskey-drinking, love-‘em-and-leave-‘em Joe is nobody’s hero. Or is he? Escape from your ordinary world with Ms. Knight’s latest fantasy, THE AWAY PLACE!--Just Imagine Fanzine
S. A. Santos Review
Vicky Whedbee Review
5 Stars! Love and Magic. Who would expect to encounter magic, especially
in the form of the east and north winds? But that's what happens when Marta
Jordan decides to end it all after a series of tragic events leaves her bereft
of hope. Not only do the delightful winds--Sola and Quill--intervene, they
introduce sexy Joe Noble into her life, who's dealing with his own set of issues.
After that the magic begins. This charming tale deftly combines love and magic
in a modern day fairytale.--Review by author Sandra Cox R
This book is part of the Magical Fantasies line and the Uncanny Paranormals line.
Here’s a real life tidbit. Marta is a professional artist. I, on the other hand, dabbled. I had training in art, graduating from New York’s High School of Music and Art, but I never saw this as my profession. Back in the day, acrylics weren’t de rigueur yet, so the mediums available were oil and water paints, in addition to charcoals, pencils, etc. But acrylics... wow. Acrylics are so much more versatile than oil paints. Below is one of the many paintings I have displayed in a room that I call my “Happy Room”!
Working in acrylic had many
benefits. The paint dried quickly and was very forgiving with mistakes. Soon
she blocked in the main area of the painting--the lake--starting with the
shallow, clear waters near her and then out beyond to the opposite shoreline.
And:
All she had to do when she got
back to the cabin was to wash paintbrushes. That was another good thing about
acrylics. The paint was water soluble, not like oil paints.
I hope you enjoy Marta and Joe’s magical story.
Susanne Marie Knight
Read outside the box: award-winning Romance Writing with a Twist!
