I’ve got a real treat for fantasy and urban fantasy readers today. My guest author is Linda Poitevin, and she’s a rising star in this very competitive genre. The first book in her new series, The Grigori Legacy, was released in September of 2011. Since that time, Sins of the Angels has received great reviews.
Spectacular cover, isn’t it? And take a look at this review from Library Journal:
“Strong storytelling and a pair of intriguing characters make this title a strong draw for urban fantasy readers and heralds a new voice in the genre.”
Linda’s my guest on the blog today, and she’s here to tell us about Sins of the Angels.
A Forbidden Love Story
Thank you so much for having me to visit today, Vanessa, and for the chance to tell your readers a little about SINS OF THE ANGELS: The Grigori Legacy.
The first in a series of four books, SINS OF THE ANGELS is a dark urban fantasy that crosses several genres, containing elements of a police procedural, a thriller, a paranormal, and yes, a romance. In fact, when I started writing the story ten years ago, it was intended to be a paranormal romance. A homicide cop and an angel tracking a fallen-angel-turned-serial-killer, discovering in the process that they are soul mates…how much more romantic potential could a storyteller ask for?
My little writer’s brain, however, kept getting in the way of true love. While the soul mate connection was real and almost tangible, my characters just would not cooperate with my efforts to get them past their differences and into the sack together. Yup, you read that right. There is no sex in SINS OF THE ANGELS. In fact, the scene that first sparked the entire story never even made it into the book…how sad is that?
I honestly don’t know who was more frustrated, me or poor Alexandra and Aramael, because even though there’s no love-making, there’s plenty of attraction…and tension. Instant, sizzling, and—from Aramael’s perspective—utterly forbidden even as the series continues into book 2, SINS OF THE SON (releasing March 27th). With the fate of the very universe at stake, it seems, the odds are against any kind of romance between our star-crossed characters.
But not, I think, against a love story that will remain with readers long after Alex and Aramael’s story ends.
A detective with a secret lineage. An undercover Hunter with a bullet-proof soul. And a world made to pay for the sins of an angel…
Homicide detective Alexandra Jarvis answers to no one. Especially not to the new partner assigned to her in the middle of a gruesome serial killer case-a partner who is obstructive, irritatingly magnetic, and arrogant as hell. Aramael is a Power–a hunter of the Fallen Angels. A millennium ago, he sentenced his own brother to eternal exile for crimes against humanity. Now his brother is back and wreaking murderous havoc in the mortal realm. To find him, Aramael must play second to a human police officer who wants nothing to do with him and whose very bloodline threatens both his mission and his soul.
Now, faced with a fallen angel hell-bent on triggering the apocalypse, Alex and Aramael have no choice but to join forces, because only together can they stop the end of days.
Vanessa, here. Sounds fantastic, doesn’t it? Be sure to visit Linda’s very cool website for excerpts, reviews, and buy links for Sins of the Angels and for information about her next book in the series.
For my readers today, Linda will give away a copy of Sins of the Angels. Since Linda has already brought it up, let’s talk about sex! Do you feel that sex is absolutely necessary in genre fiction that involves a love story, or do you think the story itself should drive the characters’ actions? One person who comments will win a copy of Linda’s book.
A few years ago, my answer might have been different. But right now, I feel that love and romance have come to be characterised so much by feelings of a sexual nature, that readers come to expect, if not overt displays of sexual interaction, then at least a hint of it. There are, however, author who manage to please audiences without including sex in the story line. In fact, there are many readers who specifically seek out adult romance novels with no content of a sexual nature. There’s a need and market for both, in my opinion.
sarahDOTsetarATgmailDOTcom
Excellent response, Sarah. Very balanced, and I agree. I think there’s definitely a market for both…so I guess I’ll continue to let my characters lead on this. 😉 Thanks for commenting!
Not necessarily “absolute needed”. If the story is written well, without enough momentum to hook a reader. The plot should carry well. If the situation calls for sex, then that’s fine… but if it seems like it could work without, that’s good to me too
I so agree that the plot needs to come first. Nothing takes me out of a story faster than gratuitous anything, be it sex, violence, or whatever. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Sex is not absolutely necessary in a love story. I enjoy the witty interactions & the spark probably more.
Yay! Another like-minded reader. Thanks, Mary! 🙂
I don’t think sex is absolutely necessary in romance stories — we have wonderful examples of great romances without the sex. (Is it okay if I cite Jane Austen? ^_^)
I think it challenges the author to develop the relationship of the characters through other means —
Very interesting premise! Congratulations on the new book!
It’s ALWAYS okay to cite Jane Austin, lol! Thanks, Tin. 🙂
Great Giveaway and I’m definitely going to check out those books, they are interesting.
Well that depends on the storyline. I don’t miss the absent of sex, as long as there is sexual tension between the characters when the storyline is good. But sometimes you need to release that sexual tension into one hot steamy scene.
And sometimes, no matter how hard you try, the darned characters just WON’T (sigh). Glad you’ll be checking out the books, Natasja — hope you enjoy! 🙂
I think it’s kind of necessary since it’s part of life. I don’t need it in all the gory details though but it’s nice to know that it happened…
I agree that it’s definitely part of life, May, but try as I might it just wouldn’t be part of this particular story. I’m hopeful for the upcoming books, however. 😉 Thanks for commenting!
I read a book recently that had absolutely no love scenes & yet was most tenderly romantic. Infact there was only 1 mention of a kiss & that was it. Yet I loved it & rate it as a great romance book.
So, no i don’t think it’s necessary or required in a romance story. When well written; I wouldn’t miss it at all.
Yay! A reader after my own heart. Must be the name… 🙂 Thanks for commenting, Linda!
Sex isn’t important for me in a romance. A believable (and sizzling) attraction and a happy conclusion are (doesn’t have to be right away. Stretched out over a couple of books is perfectly fine by me).
Thanks for the cool giveaway!
Hey, Sullivan! Glad you were able to enter. 🙂
Now that I know how awesome you write, you got yourself a new stalker 😉
LOL…I’ll take that as a compliment…thank you! 🙂
Its not necessary, but definately heats up a book. I read some of both, with and without sex. I do, however, enjoy the books WITH a lot more.
Fair enough, Betty. 😉 Thanks for stopping by to join the conversation!
No, I don’t think it’s an absolute must. I’d rather not have it than feel it’s been put in unnecessarily. Sometimes your imagination is all you need 🙂 This is a genre I’ve not read a lot but this book does sound intriguing!
I agree, Catslady…nothing more awkward than an unnecessary “moment.” 😉 Glad you find the book intriguing! 🙂
Not at all! And in fact, I think sex can be very unnecessary just shoved in for the sake of it. Yet I don’t have anything against sex in fiction either so long as it fits. 🙂
That seems to be the common thread, Hannah: “if it fits.” Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
*snort*
I don’t feel it’s necessary. One of my favorite books, Pride and Prejudice, doesn’t mention it at all. I’m looking forward to reading your book. It sounds very interesting.
I *love* Pride & Prejudice! One of my favorite books ever. And I hope you enjoy SINS OF THE ANGELS! 🙂
Sex scenes are not necessary.
robindpdx(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thanks for taking the time to comment, Robin!