It might surprise you to know that my partner didn’t get to read Beckoning Blood until after it was published. While writing and editing, I was fiercely protective of it. I didn’t like him reading over my shoulder, and if he tried, I’d stop, switch screens, and glare at him until he left the room.
Once it was finally ready to go and I had an advanced copy back from Escape, I offered it to him so he’d have the chance to read it before everyone else. But no. He wanted to wait until he could buy it from Amazon and read it on his phone.
Despite my willingness to give him an advanced copy, I was a little apprehensive about his response. When we started going out ten years ago, he would introduce me to his friends as a writer (or writer-in-waiting, considering I hadn’t published anything yet). Now, after all that time, he can finally say it without lying. So, with all that build up, a bit of apprehension was expected.
I don’t know about you but when you’re showing your loved one(s) something creative, the reactions can either make or break you. It seems counter-intuitive that the one who knows us best and presumably loves us the most is capable of wielding such destructive power, all with a slightly too long pause or a funny curl of his or her lip.
Thankfully, I did not have to slash my wrists. In fact, his reaction was more than I could have hoped for…and a lot more fun.
“Etienne doesn’t die, does he?”
This was one of the first things he said to me about the book, along with some concern over my mental state due to the rather violent and gruesome depictions within. I kept my mouth shut, not wanting to give too much away. But soon after, I was greeted with a glare.
“How could you? You killed XXXX! What did he ever do to you?”
I asked him if he liked the book so far.
“Maybe. I won’t if you keep killing characters.”
I didn’t tell him that the body count gets considerably higher as the book goes.
From a writer’s point of view, it’s fun to see what gets a reaction. From a loved one’s point of view, it’s a little bit fun to tug on your partner’s emotions and tie them up in a knot.
I also got a running commentary of his percentage progress, going up percent by percent through the 20s and into the 30s.
There were other exclamations along the way, especially as he tried to get me to reveal the plot. I stood firm.
When he did finish the book, he was happy with the ending and demanded to know when the next one was coming out. Actually, he kept saying the whole time that the second book better be done by the time he was finished reading the first. I wish that had been the case.
What I did find interesting about his reaction was that he wasn’t all that enamoured with Olivier. If you haven’t read the book, Olivier is the bad boy. He’s kind of a villain but he holds a special place in my heart (and the hearts of some readers already). It was a surprise to hear that he hadn’t struck a chord with my beloved.
Still, there’s always the next book and perhaps Olivier will redeem himself.
Have you bought a copy yet? Beckoning Blood is available from Escape Publishing | Kindle | iBooks | Kobo | Nook
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