Thursday, August 6, 2015

Page-turning novel confronts controversial issues

As promised in yesterday's post, here is information about the novel we published electronically, but not as a print book yet. Because it is more controversial and for an older audience than children's books by the same author, we published it under our imprint, Dark Trails Press, which to date, has only published e-books. As I am the author, let me explain.

I write to explore important contemporary issues that come to my attention. I develop characters based on real people who confront said issues in their daily lives. Then I give the characters the conflict or dilemma inherent in the issue. I let the characters teach me how it feels, the problems it creates for them, and their natural reaction to it. They show me how they cope and eventually, hopefully, triumph. As the issue is thus clarified for me, I hope it will do the same for the reader as well as offer them support, comfort, hope, and courage.

I could list the various issues I've written about in each of my books, but I'm here to talk about this one: Danni's Choice, or maybe a better name would be Danni's Secret, since in some regards, Danni was given no choice at all. Perhaps, if you read it, you can help me decide. This issue, which has been in the news a lot, is surrounded by controversy and imbedded in politics. Danni's Choice confronts the issues of rape and abortion.

Like the teen protagonist, Danni Beaumont, (she was the supporting character in my book, The Body in the Freezer) I thought I knew my position on the issue. By the end of the book, both Danni and I learned that we were wrong. We hadn't known, and our minds were changed—even though we started out on opposite sides of the issue.

And I think—hope—that if everyone examined both sides closely, they'd change their ideas on the issue, too, regardless of the position they started with. For as Danni said in a heated speech to her college class, it's not a black and white issue.

Those who have read Danni's Choice and commented on it found it to be a compelling read as well as an important one—a book they couldn't put down until finished. I'd like to hear more feedback, for I cannot expect everyone to agree. If you are interested, you can find the book here and here. And, if you don't mind, let me know your thoughts.

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