I wrote my first romance when I was in my late teens: “Angel in Paradise”. It was cross between Love Boat and the Perils of Pauline. I tried to write it straight and failed abysmally. Then I tried writing it as a comic romance and fell flat. It took me years of writing and life experience to understand that while I was no comedian, I would always see the humour in life experience and it would come out in my writing whether I intended it to or not.
Humour is humanity’s greatest coping mechanism. It gets us through the most frightening and despairing situations - and romance is no exception. Let’s face it love, true love, is scary, messy and raises us to great heights only to drop us into the depths of self-doubt. If we didn’t laugh, we’d be going to Romeo-esque extremes - killing ourselves when a little common sense could have led to a happily ever after. I’d rather die laughing.
So, when Jase Strachan realizes the mess he’s got himself into, taking care of a boy who is really a girl who he is falling in love with, he laughs at himself. When Marly Landers puts herself in danger, his sense of humour stops him from strangling her - or blowing her cover which would be worse.
Marly uses humour - even allowing herself to be the butt of the joke - to defuse situations that might lead to her masquerade being discovered. In the end, she uses a tactic worthy of a Shakespearean comedy to get her man. Just read the book and see.
"I loved the murder mystery ... as well as the sense of humor which had me either chuckling or laughing out loud. The development of the main characters is very well done."
Jacqueline Wilson, Deputy Sheriff for Publications of the Chicago Corral of the Westerners
“This novel is filled with accurate settings, genuine voice, and unexpected humor. And if you're more interested in the thriller or detective or romance or mystery genre, there is enough of a romance angle and an in-depth murder investigation to satisfy everyone.”
Gail M Baugniet (reader review)
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About Under A Texas Star
Disguised as a boy, Marly joins a handsome Texas Ranger in the hunt for a con man and they must bring the fugitive to justice before giving up the masquerade and giving in to their passion.
When Marly Landers is fooled by con man Charlie Meese, she's determined to bring him to justice--even if it means dressing up as a boy and setting off across the plains to find him.
Texas Ranger Jase Strachan is also after Meese, for crimes committed in Texas. He joins forces with the young boy in a journey that takes them to Fortuna, where a murder interrupts their mission. Jase is duty bound to find the killer, no matter the cost.
Marly carries out her own investigation and comes to the aid of Amabelle Egan, the sister of one of the suspects. But appearances are deceiving, and Marly is mistaken for Amabelle’s suitor, making her a target for the killer. Not to mention, Charlie Meese is still out there.
Under the Texas stars, Marly and Jase are drawn together by circumstances beyond their control, yet fate plots to tear them apart. Will Marly finally get her man?
Only an Artsi could write a novel while attending university lectures! Alison, why does this not surprise me?
ReplyDeleteYou definitely came out with more from your classes than I did taking Calculus.
Thanks for this entertaining and instructive post.
I come up with my best ideas when I'm supposed to be doing something else.
ReplyDeleteAlison