"Reminded me of #Twilight" - New #YA Paranormal #Romance

I admit it, I loved Twilight.  As a paranormal romance author, I obviously have a passion for tortured heroes, love stories filled with conflict, spooky supernatural mysteries, and dangerous situations--with a Happily Ever After somewhere in the characters' future.  Back in a 2013 blog post, I listed Bella and Edward as one of my favorite fictional couples.  I read for entertainment, and I want to be sucked into a book I'm unable to put down.  Stephenie Myer, in my opinion, is an amazing storyteller (The Host was also a page-turner).

So I was thrilled to see a book review blog recently compare my Young Adult Paranormal Romance DIVINE FALL to Twilight!  Reviews are tough to come by these days, with books being published at a phenomenal rate, and this review appeared on Read for Your Future, a site dedicated to promoting reading among teens.  The reviewer begins by saying DIVINE FALL "reminded me of Twilight but in a more realistic manner...Author Kathryn Knight has written a book teenage girls everywhere will love."  And I love hearing that!

One of the things I did not particularly like about Twilight, from a writing standpoint, was the lack of character development surrounding Bella Swan, the heroine from whose viewpoint the story is told.  However, this is a method employed on occasion when authors use deep first person POV (point of view).  I can think of a few other wildly successful titles which don't define the main character very well (50 Shades comes to mind).  Whether this is intentional or not, it does allow readers to put themselves directly into the character's figurative shoes, which can intensify the connection.

I work very hard in my novels to develop characters fully.  I absolutely want readers to connect with the characters and experience their emotions; hopefully they come to care about the characters as much as I do.  Jamie Brandt, the heroine of DIVINE FALL, has a lot of issues some teenagers will relate to.  But she's also a unique individual with clearly defined characteristics.  And this particular reviewer noted that as well, referring to Jamie as "a strong young woman" and commenting that her story has a "positive message".

Yes, Dothan Reed is like Edward in some aspects: he has both a light and dark side.  He's seeking revenge, and he's prepared to do anything to achieve his deadly goal.  When he discovers Jamie is involved in his plan, he'll have to make a difficult choice.  Dothan's not a vampire, but he is a different type of supernatural creature.  He's stronger than humans, and he's able to come to Jamie's rescue when she's in trouble.  But Jamie does her share, saving Dothan in more than one way.  They provide equal support to each other, and make each other better--and happier.

The review ends with a comment about how DIVINE FALL "reads so quickly with the action and the romance", with the reviewer hoping for a future sequel.  That made my day.  Will I return to Jamie and Dothan's story?  I'm not sure yet, but I do love these characters...and I hope you will too, if you give DIVINE FALL a try!

The beautiful cover is below, and all ebook links are here.  Also check out the Pinterest board to see the pictures I used for character and setting inspiration here!

Favorite Fictional Couples - Kathryn Knight

In honor of Valentine's Day, I created a personal list of my favorite fictional couples.  These are couples from books, although some have made the transition to the big screen and now have actors who embody the characters.  Here are my top 5 - the notable exception being Rain and Jason, the characters from Silver Lake - since it's possible I may be biased when it comes to them!  Please share your favorites too.

5.  Edward Cullen and Bella Swan in Twilight, by Stephenie Meyer.  Yes, I admit it, I enjoyed the romance between these two young characters.  Paranormal romance is (obviously) my favorite genre, and Edward is mysterious, witty, intelligent, and a dangerous predator.  Already striving to be a "good" vampire, his love for Bella allows him to overcome his primal instincts.  Protective, polite, and ridiculously handsome, it's obvious why Bella falls for Edward.  But Midnight Sun, Twilight written from Edward's viewpoint, helps reveal the qualities in Bella that Edward treasures: selflessness, kindness, and loyalty.

4.  India Selwyn-Jones and Sid Malone in The Winter Rose, by Jennifer Donnelley.  India, a naive but fearless young female doctor in 1900 England, encounters East London's crime lord Sid Malone as she tries to improve the lives of her poorest patients.  The obvious clash in their social stations is just one of many conflicts that work against these two damaged souls.  This historical romance takes the reader on an incredible journey as the characters fight to find their way back to each other.

3.  Rhett Butler and Scarlett O'Hara in Gone With The Wind, by Margaret Mitchell.  Between the novel and the movie, almost everyone is aware of the powerful but doomed relationship between Scarlett and Rhett.  I love Scarlett for being the anti-"Mary Sue": she's not very sympathetic, and she's certainly no saint.  She's feisty, selfish, and ruthless, but also strong, driven, and fearless.  Rhett can't help but love her.  Rhett can easily admit that he's no gentleman according to Southern society standards, but it soon becomes clear that he is a hero when it counts.  And although Scarlett fails to realize how much she loves him back until Melanie's demise, their story continues in Scarlett, by Alexandra Ripley.  While not nearly in the same league as GWTW, the two star-crossed lovers get some closure in this novel.

2.  Whitney Stone and Clayton Westmoreland in Whitney, My Love, by Judith McNaught.  The arrogant and dashing Duke of Claymore wants Whitney for himself...yet she wants Paul, her childhood love.  For me, this story paralleled some of the relationship conflicts in GWTW, but this novel is set in 1800s England.  Certain scenes in the story are controversial, but that is part of what made these characters feel so real - they are flawed.  They make terrible mistakes.  And the emotions I felt throughout the story - my heart actually hurt at some points.  The sexual tension had me turning pages well into the night, desperately hoping Whitney and Clayton would get their happy ending.

1.  Jamie Fraser and Claire Randall in Outlander, by Diane Gabaldon.  Another paranormal romance, this time travel story takes Claire from 1945 to the Scottish Highlands of 1743.  Jamie is a young, fierce warrior with a sweet and innocent side...who doesn't love a hot Highlander?  And when fate throws him together with Claire, a strong and competent combat nurse from the future, he nicknames her "Sassenach" - Outlander in his Celtic tongue.  I love everything about Jamie - his speech, his insight, his courage, and his protectiveness.  Claire is already married...but in another time and place.  This series continues on through 7 very large novels, so I had a pretty good idea the couple would be reunited when Claire is forced to return to her former life...and yet I was sobbing.  That's a compelling couple and amazing writing.

Those are my favorite literary couples...yours?