Vipers, in this edition of Audacious Reads I am celebrating the calendar and Lunar New Year by serving up book reviews of best sellers, an insider Q&A, and a new section in this newsletter called Catalyst. Let's go!

Book Reviews

Book Review James by Percival Everett This is a re-telling of Huckleberry Finn told from the enslaved Jim's point of view. I have mixed feelings about this book. It is not lighthearted, but it is fascinating. I disliked seeing the N-word in writing, and it would be much better via audiobook. James

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Book Review Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros This is the third book in the fantasy romance series, after Fourth Wing and Iron Flame. If you see and hear people talking about dragons right now, this is why. If you enjoy a fantasy with a bit of heated romance, this series is a must-read. In Onyx the plots and sub-plots are expertly woven and suspense-filled. Recommend! Onyx Storm

An Audacious Love Is Here!

Heat up your February with unconventional romance...

Dive into the waves of passion and adventure with Eleanor and Oliver as they redefine love in their golden years.

The ocean air never smelled so good. Finally retired and free of the mansion, Eleanor and Oliver set off on a grand adventure to travel the world. Can they endure all the change? Can trust overcome infidelity? How can their love evolve? Sparks fly and cocktails are abundant as Eleanor and Oliver visit fabulous vacation destinations and navigate their evolving relationship in this fun beach read.

An Audacious Love is a romantic journey to exotic places, yes, but it also highlights unique challenges that present themselves later in life, including aging and sexuality, love after infidelity, and finding a new purpose after retirement. This story features the nuanced relationship dynamics of a mature couple adjusting to their third act.

Q&A about An Audacious Love

In the book, you see the couple confront infidelity and their fizzling libido. Why did you choose to go there?

Infidelity is common. As much as 25% of married people report being unfaithful in the US (and think about it, that’s just what’s reported). Since so many people are dealing with the huge trust fallout that accompanies infidelity, I wanted to write about the burden.

Declining libido is just a part of aging, a natural part of our biology, but also, there are so many times sex won’t happen for practical reasons. Energy level has a huge role to play, just ask a new mom. And timing. At one point in the book, Eleanor is simply surprised at the timing of Oliver’s advance and declines. I think even if you are as flirtatious as Eleanor, the decline is just natural. It’s just not a biological priority anymore. Still, I show how Oliver and Eleanor are intimate in other ways. Small touches of the hand, how they hug, how they flirt.

There are nuanced references to history. Berlin and the wall. Oliver remembers serving in the Vietnam war. How accurate is the history you present?

This was my go at historical fiction and I love the memories and comparisons that come up. I did an enormous amount of research to be as accurate as possible, because i want the reader’s imagination to be in that world - in whatever year it’s supposed to be. I did my very best, but I’m not a historian. Still, it was really wonderful to suddenly bring forward dualities from the past to the present day… The Berlin Wall and the Mexico Wall, for example. Or the lasting cost of war on mental health when Oliver slips into memories of Vietnam without wanting to.

The characters from the first two books, An Audacious Woman and An Audacious Partnership, all come back together for a wedding at the estate. From a writing perspective, why did you choose to do that?

I had to make it satisfying for readers, of course!! I knew this was the last book in the series and I really wanted to give closure, and also one last look at the estate, completely renovated and gloriously decorated for the wedding.

Do you need to read the books in order?

No, they stand strong on their own. Just like Eleanor. Just like Brooke. Just like you.

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Don't let bad things happening in the world distract you from the good things you are trying to do,

Corinne

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​Newsletter Archive ​

What's this all about? A monthly(ish) newsletter that's a round-up of books, blog posts, articles, and topics about strong women, for strong women, or by strong women. I also share my journey as an author in the publishing world.